Mark Cavendish of Etixx Quick Step has won the opening stage of the Amgen Tour Of California.
The first main race on American soil attracted some big names for this UCI race including Mark Cavendish and its first stage started and finished in Sacramento with a 204.3km stage.
Wil Clarke of Drapac who won the first two intermediate sprints, Steve Fisher of Jelly Belly-Maxxis, Rob Britton of SmartStop and his teammate Bobby Sweeting were the first riders to break and they were a maximum of six minutes clear which was down to 2.50 and without Britton, with just over sixty kilometres to go.
One hundred and forty four riders had started the stage but Cannondale-Garmin's Andrew Talansky had to abandon due to what was described as 'a allergies and upper respiratory infection.'
The gap was down to 1.15 with 34kms to go before Jonathan Freter of Jellly Belly veered off the road and ended in a ditch. Thankfully, he was able to continue.
The trio out front were now entering Sacramento with Clarke, taking the five points for the third sprint with fifteen kilometres left.
The youngest rider in the break away Steve Fisher dropped off leaving Clarke and Sweeting with a twenty five second lead which was never going to be enough and they were caught with seven kilometres to go.
On a sunny afternoon, LottoNL-Jumbo and MTN Qhubeka were on the front of the peloton before Etixx Quick Step working for Mark Cavendish took control as they took the bell for the final 3.2km lap.
Etixx Quick Step and Tinkoff Saxo battled it out before Renshaw led out Mark Cavendish to take the win which was his tenth of the season and sixth stage win in the Tour Of California.in 4.43.17 ahead of Peter Sagan and Jerempy Drucker.
Mark Cavendish leads the race by a second from Will Clarke who picked up nine seconds with three intermediate sprints.