Swift On Top After Fantastic Finish At The Tour Of California

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Ben Swift of Great Britain emerged from a massive sprint finish and took the lead Monday after winning the 76.7-mile, weather-shortened and rainy opening stage of the Tour of California.

Swift, 23, who competes for Team Sky, completed the road race from Nevada City to the state capital in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 12 seconds and earned his fifth win of the season.

Peter Sagan (Liquigas-Cannondale) of Slovakia was second, and Matthew Goss (HTC- Highroad) of Australia was third in the pack finish, about a bike length behind.

With 10 seconds of bonus time for his victory, Swift leads the overall competition by four seconds over Sagan. Goss is third, trailing by six seconds.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)