Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Gianni Meersman was the top finisher in the 165.5km AMGEN Tour of California Stage 1, ending in Escondido, on Sunday. OPQS came to the front of the peloton, chasing down two riders left in a breakaway with 10km remaining.
In the final kilometers, however, Lieuwe Westra (Vacancoleil-DCM) and Francisco Mancebo (5-hour Energy p/b Kenda) attacked.
Those two caught the peloton by surprise and they decided the stage in a two-up sprint. Westra won, Mancebo was 2nd, and Peter Sagan (Cannondale) was 3rd. Meersman was 4th.
OPQS looks next to a 200.7km Stage 2 on Monday. The stage includes a Cat. 1, Greater Palm Springs summit finish.
