Amgen Tour of California: Kristoff sprints to 9th, Durasek remains in

It was a fast and flat fifth stage of the Amgen Tour of California on Thursday with a 176-kilometer route from Stockton to Elk Grove. The final kilometers of the stage was chaotic with many riders suffering punctures and a large crash occurring with about 5 kilometers to go.

UAE Team Emirates rode well and stayed safe. We avoided all crashes and had no mechanicals. The team give a great job of putting European Champion Alexander Kristoff at the front of the peloton entering the final kilometer.

Kristoff entered the final few hundred meters in sixth position, but was forced to delay his sprint, as slower riders closed him in along the barriers. He still finished strongly and crossed the line in 9th place.

“It was a fast and hot day,” Kristoff said. “I was well positioned in the final, but I got a little boxed in, so I had to wait before starting my sprint. I’m happy with how my legs felt and there’s still one more sprint day in Sacramento on Saturday.”

Kristijan Durasek finished in the main peloton and remain 9th on the general classification.

Tomorrow, May 18, is a stage for the general classification with over 4,500 meters of climbing. The fifth stage starts in Folsom and travels 196.5 kilometers to the finish at South Lake Tahoe. South Lake Tahoe is over 2,000 meters in altitude and the final climb to the finish line is 1.7 kilometers with an average gradient of 5.9%.

Stage 5 results

1 Gaviria Fernando (Col) Quick-Step Floor 4:04:34

2 Ewan Caleb (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott s.t.

3 Sagan Peter (Sk) BORA- Hansgrohe s.t.

9 Kristoff Alexander (Nor) UAE Team Emirates s.t.

General Classification after stage 5

1 Van Garderen Tejay (USA) BMC Racing Team 16:55:29

2 Bernal Egan Arley (Col) Team Sky +0:23

3 Martinez Daniel Felipe (Col) Team EF Education First +0:37

9 Durasek Kristijan (Cro) UAE Team Emirates +2:34