Peter Sagan wins Stage 5 of Amgen Tour of California

Thursday’s stage: This was the longest stage of the race, 138.9 miles from Seaside to Paso Robles, and it was tough on the legs with four rated climbs.

Winner: Peter Sagan of Slovakia and the Italian-based Liquigas-Cannondale team, won the sprint finish. Sagan, 21, seems to favor California. He won two stages here last year, including the penultimate day at Big Bear.

Leader’s jersey: Chris Horner of Team RadioShack, an elder statesman of the sport (he turns 40 in October) remained the overall leader though he will be sternly tested the next two days, especially by his teammate Levi Leipheimer, who is second overall.

Quote of the day: Horner as he prepares for what’s ahead: “I’m feeling my legs are good. I was in a great position today, staying out of the wind.”

STAGE 5 RESULTS

1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia, 5:16.03

2. Leigh Howard, Australia, same time

3. Ben Swift, Great Britain, same time

4. Paul Martens, Germany, same time

5. Alex Candelario, Las Vegas, same time

OVERALL STANDINGS (including time bonuses)

1. Chris Horner, Bend., Ore., 16:45.35

2. Levi Leipheimer, Santa Rosa, 0:01:15 behind

3. Tom Danielson, Boulder, Colo., 0:1:22 behind

4. Christian Vande Valde, Lemont, Ill., 0:01.29 behind

5. Rory Sutherland, Australia, 0:01:30 behind

Friday’s Stage:

It’s time trial time, and this is a 15-mile circuit around Solvang. Riders go off one-by-one in reverse order of the overall standings. Leipheimer has won on this course three times.