Team leader Peter Sagan once again proved himself as one of the strongest in Tour of California finishing 2nd on the hill top finish of stage 3 behind lone breakaway rider Tom Skujins. Unfortunately, Tinkoff-Saxo lost Michael Kolar due to sickness and Maciej Bodnar as a result of a high-speed crash within the race finale.
 
Peter Sagan was the fastest of the favorites on stage 3, as he accelerated on the final part of the uphill finish. However, the peloton hadn’t been able to catch strong, sole breakaway rider Tom Skujins, and the Tinkoff-Saxo leader had to settle for 2nd place for the third day in a row.
 
"It was a good stage for me personally and the entire squad worked very hard. We controlled the race from the start and after the long climb only a small group remained, chasing the breakaway. We pulled very hard to bring back the last rider of the breakaway. Unfortunately, Skujins proved to be very strong and was able to hold on for more than 50km. I did my best and, most importantly, I feel good. The focus is now on the following stages”, comments Peter Sagan after the stage.

Elaborating on the race tactics for the 169.8km stage from and to San Jose, sports director Tristan Hoffman tells that the team is disappointed but recognizes that Skujins deserved the win.
 
"The plan we had today was to let a small group of riders go away. That worked out and there was big fight to catch the breakaway. Our guys had a good tempo and kept the advantage to three minutes. Just before the climb that advantage went up very fast and we didn't have the exact time info. Skujins was very strong and was able to build his lead up to 4-5 minutes”, explains Tristan Hoffman and adds:
 
“We kept pulling and were then joined by other teams but Skujins was extremely strong. Peter was also strong but Skujins managed to hold on while Peter crossed the line in second place. It is what it is and we are, obviously, disappointed because it could have been a very good opportunity to take the win with Peter. We worked hard but Skujins was from another planet today! He has all our respect for what he did."
 
Tinkoff-Saxo’s day was sadly marked by two abandonments. Michael Kolar left the race due to illness, while Maciej Bodnar suffered from a hard crash during the final descent, approximately 20 kilometers from the finish line going downhill at over 70km/h.
 
He suffered extensive skin loss on his left leg and nearly the entire upper back. Unfortunately, the impact on the road also resulted in his collarbone being broken in two places.
 
Bodnar will fly back home as soon as possible in order for his personal doctor to further evaluate his situation and proceed with a possible operation.