The Bathurst cyclist, and Team Dimension Data teammate Mark Cavendish, rolled over the line at the Laguna Seca Raceway as part of the grupetto . 

The 197 kilometre stage was not one for the sprinters. It was a stage for the all-round riders and classics specialists.

It featured four categorised climbs over the final third of the course and concluded with a lap around the iconic American motor racing circuit.

The man who navigated it fastest was Trek-Segafredo rider Toms Skujins (four hours, 52 minutes and 47 seconds). It’s Skujins’ third win at the Tour of California. 

Sean Bennett (Hagens Berman Axeon) was second and Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) won the sprint for third.

There was some positive news for Dimension Data with Tom-Jelte Slagter finishing in eighth.

“Before we entered the circuit it was really hard, some really hard climbs, and there was good pace in the peloton that made it tough for everyone,” Slagter said on the team’s official website.

“Some guys got away just before the circuit and from there the organisation within the peloton was gone and it was a bit messy. I managed to start the circuit in the front 15 places so in the end I could sprint for third place. There were a few guys faster but I’m pretty satisfied.”

Egan Bernal (Team Sky) retained his 25-second lead in the overall standings after he finished fifth in Wednesday’s stage.