Gesink cruises through in California

Robert Gesink, of The Netherlands, competes in the final stage of the Tour of California cycling race, in Los Angeles.

Robert Gesink, of The Netherlands, competes in the final stage of the Tour of California cycling race, in Los Angeles.

Published May 21, 2012

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Los Angeles - Robert Gesink of the Netherlands cruised to victory in the Tour of California on Sunday, finishing the eighth and final stage in the middle of the pack.

The Dutchman, who claimed the leader's yellow jersey when he won Saturday's penultimate stage in the Californian mountains, retained his 46 lead over his nearest competitor, American Dave Zabriskie.

The final stage, a 72km ride from Beverley Hills to downtown Los Angeles, was won by Slovakian sprint specialist Peter Sagan.

Sagan, who also won the first four stages of the Tour but fell back during the time-trial and the two gruelling mountain climbs in the Golden State, produced another of his trademark late bursts, crossing the line first in one hour 27 minutes and 36 seconds.

Tom Boonen of Belgium, a former world road race champion currently ranked number one in the world, finished a close second while Germany's Gerald Ciolek was third.

Zabriskie also finished in the middle of the pack to finish second overall for the fourth time in the seven editions of the Tour. His countryman Tom Danielson was third overall for the second year in a row. - Reuters

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