Tour of California 2019: Iván García wins group spint, Van Garderen still leader

Iván Garciá powers to victory in the 5th stage of the Tour of California. The 23-year old Spaniard outsmarts Maximiliano Richeze and is the fastest rider of a group of 27 riders. Tejay van Garderen holds the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 5th stage 2019 Tour of California
1. Iván Garciá (spa)
2. Maximiliano Richeze (arg) s.t.
3. Sergio Higuita (col) s.t.
4. Joris Nieuwenhuis (nld) s.t.
5. Kasper Asgreen (den) s.t.
6. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) s.t.
7. Pawel Bernas (pol) s.t.
8. Nacer Bouhanni (fra) s.t.
9. Tadej Pogacar (slo) s.t.
10. Hugo Houle (can) s.t.

GC
1. Tejay van Garderen (usa)
2. Kasper Asgreen (den) + 0.04
3. Gianni Moscon (ita) + 0.06
4. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.16
5. Maximilian Schachmann (ger) + 0.22
6. Sergio Higuita (col) + 0.28
7. Jonas Gregaard (den) + 0.33
8. George Bennett (nzl) + 0.34
9. Felix Großschartner (aut) + 0.35
10. Rigoberto Uran (Col + 0.36

Race report
Kasper Asgreen shows his ambition and pockets a time bonus of 3 seconds in the first intermediate sprint before the breakaway takes shape. Yet, the lead of Davide Ballerini, Toms Skujins, Neilson Powless, Lennard Hofstede, Michael Schär, Brandon McNulty, Jasper Philipsen, Tim Declercq, Leonardo Basso, Peter Sagan, Alex Hoehn and Cees Bol never widens to more than 2 minutes. Declercq is the last rider to be caught on an uphill inside the last 6 kilometres. While the peloton fractures, Sergio Higuita and George Bennett go on the attack.

The duo is brought back, first by a group of five, then twenty more riders regain contact. Richeze opens the sprint, while García comes across into the headwind to power to victory. Van Garderen finishes sixteenth to retain the race lead.

Another interesting read: route 5th stage 2019 Tour of California.