Mark Cavendish wins Tour of California first stage

Mark Cavendish has won 10 races in 2015

Britain's Mark Cavendish sprinted to a dominant victory in the first stage of the Tour of California.

The 29-year-old Manxman, riding for Etixx - Quick-Step, comfortably beat Tinkoff-Saxo's Peter Sagan into second, with Jean-Pierre Drucker (BMC) third.

"It was chaotic," said Cavendish, who was led out by team-mate Mark Renshaw.

"When Mark is stressing you know it's stressful. But I don't have to think too much even with the chaos, so I can focus on saving energy for the sprint."

William Clarke (Drapac) is second in the overall standings after collecting time bonuses on the 203km stage, which started and ended in Sacramento.

Monday's second stage of the eight-day race heads 193km from Nevada City to Lodi.

Stage one result:

1. Mark Cavendish (GB/Etixx - Quick-Step) 4hrs 43mins 17secs

2. Peter Sagan (Svk/Tinkoff-Saxo) Same time

3. Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux/BMC)

4. John Murphy (US/United Healthcare)

5. Guillaume Boivin (Can/Optum)

6. Zico Waeytens (Bel/Giant-Alpecin)

7. Wouter Wippert (Ned/Drapac)

8. Tyler Farrar (US/MTN-Qhubeka)

9. Koen De Kort (Ned/Giant-Alpecin)

10. Danny van Poppel (Ned/Trek Factory Racing)

Overall classification after stage one:

1. Mark Cavendish (GB/Etixx - Quick-Step) 4hrs 43mins 17secs

2. William Clarke (Aus) Drapac +1sec

3. Peter Sagan (Svk/Tinkoff-Saxo) +4secs

4. Jean-Pierre Drucker (Lux/BMC) +6secs

5. Rob Britton (Can/SmartStop) +6secs