Peter Sagan (Cannondale) was the big favourite to continue last year's run of success in the first stage of the Tour of California but the Slovakian had to settle for third as Lieuwe Westra (Vacansoleil) and Francisco Mancebo (5 Hour Energy) managed to get clear with just 5km left to race. The Gent-Wevelgem winner was even dropped on the day's last climb in the sweltering heat which took its toll on the Cannondale leader.

Last year the Tour of California evolved into a Peter Sagan show as the Slovakian took no that 5 stage wins and finished 2nd in another. Only the hard mountain top finish at Mount Baldy and the time trial saw the Slovakian far down the results sheet.

This year the Slovakian is back after a small break from racing and he hopes to continue his incredible run of success. Yesterday's first stage appeared to be tailor-made for his characteristics with some tough climbing throughout the day before a flat run-in into Escondido.

However, the Slovakian came away empty-handed as he paid the price for both the sweltering heat and his favourite status. First of all the temperatures of 40C took its toll on Sagan who briefly had to drop back with 4km to go as he suffered from cramps in the heat. Secondly, few of the other teams wanted to assist the team in the chase of the day's early 4-man break and so the team had to gauge its efforts, often leaving the front to hand over the responsibility to the likes of Omega Pharma-Quick Step, BMC, NetApp-Endura and Saxo-Tinkoff.

However, the green-clad team did the bulk of the work and so Sagan had no more domestiques left when Lieuwe Westra and Francisco Mancebo attacked with 5km to go. With no riders to bring back the move, the sprint was only for the final podium spot and while Sagan managed to beat his rivals convincingly, he did not take the expected win.

Afterwards the Slovakian described a tough day which even saw him getting dropped for a short while on the day's final climb with 40km to go.

“It’s always harder and harder to win because the other riders expect it of me," he said. "When I come to the front for the finish, I only had 90% left. Other teams didn’t want to work with us especially with 20km, so our team was a bit tired at the end. They worked so hard and did a great job. Today was very hard for me also because in Europe it was a bit colder and it was just so hot today.”

Sagan will bide his time in today's tough uphill finish before should once again be in the mix on the third stage which once again appears to be a perfect one for the Slovakian phenomenon.