Skujins breaks away at finish line to win Stage 5 of Amgen in South Lake Tahoe

Stage 5 of the Amgen Tour of California is in the books. 24-year-old Toms Skujins from Latvia burst across the finish line at Heavenly Mountain Resort at the last second Thursday, edging out Adam De Vos of Canada and Xabier Zandio of Spain to take the win.

The day began as riders left Lodi at 50 feet above sea level, and crossed the finish line 130 miles later in South Lake Tahoe at 6,650 feet.

Cycling fans, locals, visitors lined the streets as the pack of 188 riders went through Christmas Valley, up Pioneer Trail to Ski Run Blvd and into Heavenly. The three top racers on the day broke away from the rest of the pack as they started crossing the mountains and reaching a peak elevation of 8,600 feet, the highest in race history.

The overall leader remained the same, Julian Alaphilippe of France.

Stage 5 Results

1. Toms Skujins (LAT), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA)
2. Adam De Vos (CAN), Rally Cycling Team (USA)
3. Xabier Zandio (ESP), Team Sky (GBR)

Amgen Leader Jersey – Julian Alaphilippe (FRA), Etixx – Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team (BEL)
Lexus King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey – Evan Huffman (USA), Rally Cycling Team (USA)
Visit California Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Tinkoff (RUS)
SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey – Neilson Powless (USA), Axeon Hagens Berman Cycling Team (USA)
Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Toms Skujins (LAT), Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA)