Cannondale's Peter Sagan completed a hat-trick of wins in the US Pro Challenge with victory on the sixth stage in Fort Collins.
American Tejay Van Garderen led the race going into a sixth stage which started at Loveland and provided fare for the climbers before its finish after 185.4kms in Fort Collins.
After Luis Amaran (Jamis-Hagens Berman) had won the first sprint and Chris Jones (UnitedHealthcare) the second sprint, the first main break of the day formed and again young British rider Josh Edmondson of Team Sky was involved along with Thomas Dekker (Garmin-Sharp), Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Sharp), Tiago Machado (RadioShack), Mick Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff), Bruno Pires (Saxo-Tinkoff), Tim Duggan (Saxo-Tinkoff), Simon Geschke (Argos-Shimano), Fabio Duerta (Colombia), Javier Megias Leal (Novo Nordisk), Chris Jones (UnitedHealthcare), Jeff Louder (UnitedHealthcare), Jonathan McCarty (Bissell), Kirk Carlsen (Bissell) and Jesse Anthony (Optum).
With a lead of two minute, the front group climbed up through the crowds of fans on Devil's Gulch and descended towards the third sprint at Estes Park which also drew out big crowds.
Michael Rogers took the sprint points as the escapers held their lead of 1.15.
The lead group was split with 30kms to go when Carlsen and Machado attacked before they were joined and passed by Argos Shimano's Simon Geschke who led, whilst further down the road, Team Sky's Chris Froome dropped out of the main group.
Geschke was caught on the final climb which was also well populated by very noisy fans and Rogers, Dekker, Megias Leal and Edmondson who had a 15 second lead on the chasers and 1.20 on the peloton took over.
Speeds had been fast all day and heading into Fort Collins, the riders were pushing 100km/h before there was a crash in the peloton involving Andy Schleck, USA Time Time Champion Tom Zirbel and Fabian Duarte, who had been involved in the break earlier.
Greg Van Avermaet tried to attack out of the peloton but Cannondale's Peter Sagan went with him as the leaders had 35 seconds with ten kilometres to go.
Javier Megias and Michael Rogers both attacked but the peloton wew travelling with 5.4kms to go and they were caught and the battle for the line ensued.
Peter Sagan moved towards the front as Saxo Tinkoff launched a raid which was swiftly dealt with by the peloton which had the race leader in a safe place.
Edwin Avila tried his luck but he too was dealt with and under the flam rouge, the stage was wide open.
Rory Sutherland attacked but Peter Sagan caught him and passed him to win in 4.01.33 ahead of Luka Mezgec of Argos Shimano and BMC's Greg Van Avermaet and seal the points jersey.
Tejay Van Garderen finished comfortably in the peloton and keeps his lead of a minute and thirty seconds going into the final stage in Denver.
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