Tour of California Stage 1: Santa Rosa, 186.5 km
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As it tops the third, there is little time to enjoy the sunny view; the lead is coming down.
It isn't long before an escape, animated by Maxime Bouet of AG2R, is up the road...
The peloton looks like it is speeding along, but the pace is leisurely; they'll let the break exceed an eleven minute lead.
New Zealander Josh Atkins of the Bontrager LIVESTRONG U23 squad, passes vineyards as the escape extends its lead.
Levi, marked closely by Horner, was near the front of the main bunch all day; the tape on his leg the most visible sign of his ongoing recovery.
The peloton strings out past redwoods as it descends after the second KOM of the day.
As it tops the third, there is little time to enjoy the sunny view; the lead is coming down.
Jens, doing what he does best, giving 110 percent at the point of the spear to bring back the break.
As RadioShack Nissan Trek works to keep Horner near the top of the GC, the pace and the winds off the ocean are taking their toll.
The escape begins the Coleman Valley climb, the last rated climb of the day. Can they stay away?
Pulled back to under 4 minutes at the base of the climb, the pacemaking duties shift to other teams...
It is Garmin who now push the pace for their leader Danielson.
The escape speeds down one of the smaller descents on the way back into Santa Rosa, trying to keep their hopes alive.
On the last un-rated climb, Ben Jacques-Maynes has lifted the pace; only two of the escape can match him.
Now Cannondale are pushing the pace; for Sagan, no doubt.
That effort paid off - Sagan easily wins the sprint into Santa Rosa, even with a flat in the last 10k!