The Start line on the Pier in Pismo Beach.

Festivities before the Race at the Start line on the Pier in Pismo Beach.

The start line on the Pier in Pismo Beach.

People on the Pier during the starting ceremonies.

Thor Husbovd, BMC, Norwegian National Champion, signing in as Taylor Phinney, BMC, is interviewed before the Race.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow leaders Jersey on his way back to the team after signing in.

Jens Voigt, Trek, being interviewed after signing in. Jens is one of two racers to have raced in every edition of the Tour of California.

Jens Voigt, Trek, being interviewed after signing in.

Ben Jacques-Maynes, Jamis - Hagens Berman, is the other racer besides Jens Voigt, Trek, that has raced in every edition of the Tour of California.

The starting ceremonies as seen from the Pier in Pismo Beach.

The premier Racers lining up for the start of the race:
(the Peloton was packed tight on the small Pier)
Thor Hushvold, BMC,
    Norwegian National Champion
Freddie Rodriguez, Jelly Belly,
    US National Champion
Christopjher Jones, UnitedHealthcare,
    in the King of the Mountain Jersey
Jonathan Clarke, UnitedHealthcare,
    in the Most Courageous Rider Jersey
Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey
Mark Cavendish, Omega - Pharma QuickStep,
    England's National Champion
Will Routley, Optum, in the Sprint Jersey

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey, and Mark Cavendish, Omega - Pharma QuickStep, chatting before the Race.

Thor Hoshvold, BMX, Norwegian National Champion, waiting for the Race to start.

Freddie Rodriguez, Jelly Belly, US National Champion, waiting for the start of the Race.

The Call to Honor before the start of the Race.

Mark Cavendish, Omega - Pharma QuickStep, England's National Champion, putting on his helmet while Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the leaders Jersey waits for the Race to start.

The racers at the Start of the Race including Mark Cavendish, Omega - Pharma QuickStep, and Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the leaders Jersey.

The racers at the Start of the race including Freddie Rodriguez, Jelly Belly, US National Champion.

The Breakaway in the fields past Santa Maria about 37 miles into the race.

The six man Breakaway in the fields just past Santa Maria.

The six man Breakaway;
Iker Camano Ortuzar, NetApp
Serghei Tvetcov, Jelly Belly
Danny Van Poppel, Trek
Isaac Bolivar Hernandez,
    UnitedHealthcare
Maarten Wynants, Belkin
Michael Schar, BMC,
    Swiss National Champion

The six man Breakaway;
Iker Camano Ortuzar, NetApp
Isaac Bolivar Hernandez,
    UnitedHealthcare
Danny Van Poppel, Trek
Michael Schar, BMC,
    Swiss National Champion
Maarten Wynants, Belkin
(Serghei Tvetcov, Jelly Belly hidden behind Ikar Ortuzar)

The Peloton in the fields past Santa Maria about three minuites behind the breakaway.

The Peloton in the fields past Santa Maria.

The Sky and Cannondale Teams leading a spread out Peloton through the fields past Santa Maria.

The Peloton lead by the Sky and Cannondale Teams. Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey near the front.

Guilaume Bovin, Cannondale, leading the Peloton.

Guilaume Bovin, Cannondale, leading the Peloton.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey leading the bulk of the Peloton.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, out of the saddle in the middle of the Peloton.

There was a huge crowd waiting for the Racers at the Finish in Santa Barbara.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, nearing the Finish with the Peloton nowhere in sight.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, taking it easy before the Finish.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, bowing to the loudly cheering crowd, still yards from the Finish.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, celebrating his win before crossing the Finish.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, crossing the Finish with the Peloton just coming into view.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, celebrating his win with the Peloton sprinting for second place.

The Peloton sprinting hard for second with Peter Sagan, Cannondale, and Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, at the front.

Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, watching peter Peter Sagan, Cannondale, pass him in the sprint for second place.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, taking second place with Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, coming in third.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, second place with Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, third.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, heading to the awards stage.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, heading to the awards stage.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, taking a drink while heading to the awards stage.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, taking the awards stage.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, being awarded the Yellow Jersey for remaining in the overall lead.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, being congratulated for holding the overall lead.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, celebrating his lead.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, receiving the spoils of victory.

Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, beiong congratulated for coming in third.

Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, beiong congratulated for coming in third.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, taking the awards stage.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, being congratulated for coming in second.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, celebrating his finish.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, during the awards.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, taking the awards stage.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, being congratulated for winning the Race.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, celebrating his victory.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, receiving the spoils of victory.

The top finishers;
Peter Sagan, Cannondale, second
Taylor Phinney, BMC, first
Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, third

The top finishers;
Peter Sagan, Cannondale, second
Taylor Phinney, BMC, first
Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, third

The top finishers;
Peter Sagan, Cannondale, second
Taylor Phinney, BMC, first
Matthew Harley Goss, Orica, third

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, receiving the Sprint Jersey for taking the overall lead in sprint points.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, in the Sprint Jersey.

Peter Sagan, Cannondale, receiving the spoils of victory.

Will Routley, Optum, receiving the King of the Mountain Jersey for leading in the King of the Mountain standings.

Will Routley, Optum, celebrating his King of the Mountain lead.

Will Routley, Optum, receiving the spoils of victory.

Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano, taking the awards stage.

Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano, receiving the Best Young Rider Jersey.

Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano, celebrating being the fastest young Racer.

Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano, receiving the spoils of victory.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, receiving the Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, receiving the Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

Taylor Phinney, BMC, receiving the spoils of vcitory.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Leaders Jersey shaking hands with Peter Sagan, Cannondale, in the Sprint Jersey.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey shaking hands with Taylor Phinney, BMC, in the Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Leaders Jersey shaking hands with Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano, in the Best Young Rider Jersey.

Bradley Wiggins, Sky, in the Yellow Jersey shaking hands with Will Routley, Optum, in the King of the Mountain Jersey.

The Jersey holders after stage 5;
Will Routley, Optum
Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano
Bradley Wiggins, Sky
Peter Sagan, Cannondale
Taylor Phinney, BMC

The Jersey holders after stage 5;
Will Routley, Optum
Lawson Craddock, Giant - Shimano
Bradley Wiggins, Sky
Peter Sagan, Cannondale
Taylor Phinney, BMC