SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — It took Julian Alaphilippe just a bit longer than he hoped to top the podium at the Tour of California.
The French cyclist, who lost his lead on the final stage a year ago and finished second overall, managed to hang onto it Sunday. Alaphilippe finished safely in the main field in Stage 8 to hold off Rohan Dennis of Australia and American veteran Brent Bookwalter for one of the biggest wins of his career.
Mark Cavendish won the flat, fast stage over Peter Sagan and Alexander Kristoff in a sprint finish.
In the women's race, Dutcher star Kirsten Wild beat Lisa Brennauer of Germany and compatriot Marianne Vos at the finish of a 43-mile criterium, while Megan Guarnier held off Kristin Armstrong to win the overall.