Tour of California 2018 Stage 3: Skujiņš wins at Laguna Seca race-track, Bernal still leader.

The 3rd stage of the Tour of California is a hilly race of almost 200 kilometres. Following a steep last incline attackers Toms Skujiņš and Sean Bennett enter the Laguna Seca race-track together. The Latvian rider goes alone in the Corkscrew chicane to solo to victory. Egan Bernal finishes safely in the peloton to hold to the GC-lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2018 Tour of California

1. Toms Skujiņš (lat)
2. Sean Bennett (usa) + 0.03
3. Caleb Ewan (aus) + 0.08
4. Peter Sagan (svk) z.t.
5. Egan Bernal (col) z.t.
6. Adam Yates (gbr) z.t.
7. Alex Howes (usa) z.t.
8. Tom-Jelte Slagter (nld) z.t.
9. Brent Bookwalter (usa) z.t.
10. William Barta (usa) z.t.

GC after the 3rd stage
1. Egan Bernal (col)
2. Rafal Majka (pol) + 0.25
3. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.31
4. Antwan Tolhoek (nld) + 0.40
5. Daniel Felipe Martinez (col) s.t.
6. Kristijan Durasek (cro) s.t.
7. Mathias Frank (swi) + 0.50
8. Tejay van Garderen (usa) + 1.00
9. Ruben Guerreiro (por) + 1.11
10. Laurens De Plus (bel) + 1.14

Race report
Evan Huffman, Ian Garrison and Robin Carpenter open up a small gap early on, but the peloton is not quite ready to let them go at that moment. Following a number of in vain attempts to bridge across the main group finally eases up after 25 kms and the gap widens to over 5 minutes.

On the East Carmel Valley Road climb Carpenter is dropped, while Huffman is plagued by a chemical with 40 kms to go. He tries to rejoin the front for a while, but he only succeeds in doing so when Logan Owen and Toms Skujiņš take him with them. Yet, Huffman is dropped shortly.

On the lower slopes of the penultimate climb Skujiņš heads out alone, while his companions are brought back. Sean Bennett joins the Latvian rider. The peloton is close behind. Gaviria punctures before the last haul up.

The leaders enter the racetrack some 100 metres ahead of the main group. Skujiņš goes solo in the Corkscrew chicane and powers to the win. Bennett comes in second, while Caleb Ewan winst the sprint of the reduced peloton.

Egan Bernal, who finishes in fifth, is still leading the Tour of California.