France’s Alaphilippe tops Tour of California podium

Cavendish wins flat, fast stage over Sagan, Kristoff

SACRAMENTO, California, May 23, (AP): It took Julian Alaphilippe just a bit longer than he hoped to top the podium at the Tour of California.

The French cyclist, who lost his lead on the final stage a year ago and finished second overall, managed to hang onto it Sunday. Alaphilippe finished safely in the main field in Stage 8 to hold off Rohan Dennis of Australia and American veteran Brent Bookwalter for one of the biggest wins of his career.

Mark Cavendish won the flat, fast stage over Peter Sagan and Alexander

Mark Cavendish, of Britain, celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the final stage of the Tour of California cycling race on May 22, in Sacramento, California. Julian Alaphilippe, of France, who finished 11th for the day, won the

overall event. (AP)

Kristoff in a sprint finish.

In the women’s race, Dutcher star Kirsten Wild beat Lisa Brennauer of Germany and compatriot Marianne Vos at the finish of a 43-mile criterium, while Megan Guarnier held off Kristin Armstrong to win the overall.

The men’s race ultimately was decided when Alaphilippe won the climb up Gibraltar Road, then minimized his losses in the time trial in Folsom. Dennis finished 21 seconds back in second place for the second time in three years, while Bookwalter was another 22 seconds adrift for his BMC Racing team.

Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli plays a shot during the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International

Cricket Stadium, Raipur on May 22. (AFP)