Tadej Pogacar secures victory at Tour of California

Tadej Pogacar’s stage-six surge paid off as he rode to victory in the Tour of California.

Team Emirates fended off attacks on the final day to ensure the 20-year-old Slovenian held the yellow jersey after the final stage.

The 126km climbing stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena was won by Cees Bol of Team Sunweb, with three-time world champion Peter Sagan in second.

Pogacar’s team-mate Jasper Philipsen came third in the sprint to the Rose Bowl.

Having seized the lead after Friday’s gruelling stage from Ontario to Mount Baldy, Pogacar held a 16-second advantage over Education First rider Sergio Higuita when the race resumed on Saturday.

Despite attacks from the likes of Kasper Asgreen of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team during the final circuits, Pogacar did not concede a second.

Higuita finished second while Dane Asgreen, who had been in charge after the second stage, finished one second behind the Colombian.

“This was my main goal this year,” said Pogacar. “I knew that I was prepared. I surprised myself a bit that I took the overall win, but I’m really happy and I’m looking forward to next year.”

Britain’s Mark Cavendish abandoned the race on the final stage.