2015 Tour of California

File:2015 Tour of California, stage 6 (A).jpg was moved from Big Bear Lake to Santa Clarita, and held over a reduced distance.]]

Eighteen teams were selected to take part in the race. As a 2.HC event, the race organizers could invite UCI ProTeams to make up 70% of the line-up; however, only eight ProTeams were invited, along with four UCI Professional Continental teams and six UCI Continental teams. The maximum number of riders allowed per team was eight, so the field had a maximum of 144 cyclists.

{{cyclingteamlist|title=World Tour Teams|BMC|EQS|SKY|TCG|TTS|TFR|TGA|BEL|year=2015}}

{{cyclingteamlist|title=Professional Continental teams|DPC|MTN|UHC|TNN|year=2015}}

{{cyclingteamlist|title=Continental teams|HBA|HSD|JBC|JSH|OPT|SSC|year=2015}}

File:Mark Cavendish, Boy Racer (cropped).jpg (pictured at the 2010 Tour of California), wanted to add stage wins to his tally.]]

As in 2014, the race followed a North to South route through California, visiting thirteen host cities. The overall classification was to be determined late in the race, notably in the time trial at Santa Clarita on Stage 6 and on the subsequent stage to Mount Baldy. The crosswinds often had an effect on the flatter stages and formed echelons of riders on the road.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/preview|title=Preview: Tour of California gears up for 10th year|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 9, 2015|accessdate=May 9, 2015}} Former multiple Tour of California stage winner Jens Voigt was a race ambassador, served as a television analyst and was an adviser to the organizers.{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/65/115/L-ETAPE-CALIFORNIA-2015-SET-FOR-MAY-16-OVER-STAGE-7-ROUTE|title=JENS VOIGT NAMED AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA AMBASSADOR|work=AMGEN Tour of California|date=February 15, 2015|accessdate=May 9, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518074117/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/65/115/L-ETAPE-CALIFORNIA-2015-SET-FOR-MAY-16-OVER-STAGE-7-ROUTE|url-status=dead}} Anti-doping tests were conducted in-and-out of the competition by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), in agreement with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). USADA's tests included researching for testosterone, CERA and human growth hormone (HGH).{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-allows-testing-by-usada-at-tour-of-california|title=UCI allows testing by USADA at Tour of California|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 9, 2015|accessdate=May 10, 2015}} Subsequently, no positive tests were declared at the race nor after it.

The winner of the 2014 edition, Bradley Wiggins, did not participate in 2015 as he was going back to track cycling.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-to-attempt-hour-record-on-june-7 |title=Wiggins to attempt Hour Record on June 7|date=April 15, 2015 |website=cyclingnews.com |access-date=May 5, 2015}} The only former winner at the race was Robert Gesink of {{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}, who won the race in 2012, which featured the same queen stage (Stage 7). American Andrew Talansky ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}) was designated as his team's leader, while other favorites included {{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}'s Sergio Henao who was supported by a strong {{UCI team code|SKY|2015}},{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/henao_leads_sky_in_california/|title=Henao leads Sky in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 6, 2015|accessdate=May 6, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}} and Haimar Zubeldia of {{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}, who came in eighth at the 2014 Tour de France. There also was Warren Barguil, Lawson Craddock (both with {{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}) and Laurens ten Dam of {{UCI team code|BEL|2015|nolink=yes}}, in support of Gesink. Outsiders included Jacques Janse van Rensburg ({{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}), Janez Brajkovič ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}) – a former Tour de France top-10 finisher – as well as Matthew Busche ({{UCI team code|TFR|2015|nolink=yes}}), Rob Britton ({{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}) and Phil Gaimon ({{UCI team code|OPT|2015}}).{{cite news|url=http://www.procyclingstats.com/race.php?id=151270&c=3|title=10th Amgen Tour of California (2.HC)|publisher=ProCyclingStats|accessdate=May 8, 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/start-list|title=Tour of California 2015 – Start List|website=Cyclingnews.com|accessdate=May 6, 2015}}

Those who were chasing stage wins included Mark Cavendish of {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}, who came to the race with a lead-out train to facilitate his sprints, including Mark Renshaw. Peter Sagan of {{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}, the record holder of most stage victories at the race with eleven and the winner of the sprints classification for the previous five years, was also a rider to watch in the sprints, especially on the hillier stages. American Tyler Farrar of {{UCI team code|MTN|2015}} was accompanied by other capable sprinters in his team such as Gerald Ciolek, Theo Bos and Matthew Goss.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/mark-cavendish-faces-tough-sprint-opposition-in-tour-of-california-169820|title=Mark Cavendish faces tough sprint opposition in Tour of California|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=May 6, 2015|accessdate=May 6, 2015|author=Nigel Wynn}} Other contenders for stage honors included Lucas Sebastián Haedo of {{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}, Danny van Poppel ({{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}) and Guillaume Boivin ({{UCI team code|OPT|2015}}).

Ben Jacques-Maynes, who had competed in all previous editions of the race, was also on the startlist but he had to abandon after Stage 2 because of a crash.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/broken-nose-teeth-for-ben-jacques-maynes-after-tour-of-california-crash|title=Broken nose, teeth for Ben Jacques-Maynes after Tour of California crash|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015}}

;May 10, 2015 — Sacramento to Sacramento, {{convert|126.2|mi|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506220049/http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage1|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|title=Stage 1 – Sacramento Overall Start|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}

File:Sacramento Skyline (cropped).jpg welcomed the first stage of the race]]

The first stage of the race was generally pan flat and included three intermediate sprints in Walnut Grove, Isleton and West Sacramento, and a section of dirt roads starting {{convert|50|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} into the race and lasting {{convert|2|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}}. The stage featured an elevation gain of {{convert|1400|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage1_Profile_v3.pdf|title=Stage 1 – Sacramento Circuit|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

A breakaway of four riders formed early on, consisting of Will Clarke of {{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}, Steve Fisher of {{UCI team code|JBC|2015}}, recent Tour of the Gila winner Rob Britton of {{UCI team code|SSC|2015}} and his teammate Robert Sweeting; this quartet's gap grew to a maximum of around six-and-a-half minutes. Soon, {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} took the reins of the bunch, controlling for their sprinter Mark Cavendish. Clarke grabbed the first points on offer for the sprints classification in Walnut Grove, and also won the second intermediate sprint, accumulating six bonus seconds towards the general classification. With about {{convert|60|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to cover, one of the favorites, Andrew Talansky ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}) abandoned the race due to a combination of allergies and an upper respiratory infection.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-1/results|title=Tour of California: Mark Cavendish wins stage 1|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 10, 2015|accessdate=May 10, 2015|author=Pat Malach}}

At the front, the four riders in the break were forming a mini-echelon to shelter themselves from the winds, when Britton suffered a mechanical and decided to sit up and wait for the peloton. Mark Renshaw crashed as he hit a pothole, but was able to remount and return to the peloton.{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/mark-cavendish-waltzes-to-win-in-stage-1-of-the-amgen-tour_369579|title=Mark Cavendish waltzes to win in stage 1 of the Amgen Tour|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=May 10, 2015|accessdate=May 10, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513205748/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/mark-cavendish-waltzes-to-win-in-stage-1-of-the-amgen-tour_369579|url-status=dead}} {{UCI team code|MTN|2015}} and {{UCI team code|TTS|2015}} started helping {{UCI team code|EQS|2015|nolink=yes}} at the front of the pack with {{convert|35|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go, as the gap to the three breakaway riders was down to two-and-a-half minutes. With {{convert|15|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to race, {{UCI team code|JBC|2015}}' Johnathan Freter crashed on the left side of the road, but was also able to return to the peloton. The break resisted to make it to the last intermediate sprint in West Sacramento, again won by Clarke. {{UCI team code|TTS|2015|nolink=yes}} marshaled the peloton after the breakaway was caught, then Kiel Reijnen ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}) attempted to attack solo, but was caught shortly after. {{UCI team code|EQS|2015|nolink=yes}} took to the front of the field with {{convert|2|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to cover, with Renshaw leading out Mark Cavendish for his tenth victory of the season, ahead of Peter Sagan and Jempy Drucker; no overall classification contenders lost time on the fast run-in.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/cavendish_crushes_the_opposition_in_california_opener/|title=Cavendish crushes the opposition in California opener|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 10, 2015|accessdate=May 10, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Rob Britton|CAN|{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|+ 6"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|John Murphy|USA|{{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}|+ 10"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Guillaume Boivin|CAN|{{UCI team code|OPT|2015}}|+ 10"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Zico Waeytens|BEL|{{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}|+ 10"|{{cjersey|white|Young rider classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Wouter Wippert|NED|{{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}|+ 10"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Tyler Farrar|USA|{{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}|+ 10"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

|}

;May 11, 2015 — Nevada City to Lodi, {{convert|120.4|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506220048/http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage2|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|title=Stage 2 – Nevada City to Lodi|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}

File:Kuurne - Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, 1 maart 2015 (I05).JPG (pictured at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne) won his second consecutive stage in Lodi, to extend his general classification lead.]]

The second stage of the race again contained three intermediate sprints which were included in the first half of the parcours. There was also one categorized climb which summited after {{convert|40|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of racing, a category 4 climb situated on State Route 49 to determine the first leader of the mountains classification. There was a finishing circuit in Lodi, which the riders completed twice. The elevation gain of the whole stage was {{convert|6000|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage2_Profile_v3.pdf|title=Stage 2 – Nevada City to Lodi|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003931/http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage2_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}

A flurry of attacks occurred from kilometer zero, and after numerous failed attempts, Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) and Markel Irizar ({{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}) succeeded in getting from the peloton. They were soon joined by Luis Amarán of {{UCI team code|JSH|2015}} and Robin Carpenter of {{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}, and after {{convert|17|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of racing, the four escapees held a three-minute advantage. Carpenter took the first sprint points in Meadow Vista, and also led over the categorized climb, to take the polka-dot jersey for the third stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/mark-cavendish-makes-it-two-out-of-two-in-tour-of-california-170739|title=Mark Cavendish makes it two out of two in Tour of California|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=May 11, 2015|accessdate=May 11, 2015|author=Nigel Wynn}} {{convert|3|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} later, an intermediate sprint was contested in Cool, and was also won by Carpenter, who completed a sweep of the sprints in El Dorado. The breakaway enjoyed a maximum advantage of just over five minutes in the flat, open terrain,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-2/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 2|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 12, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}} with {{UCI team code|EQS|2015|nolink=yes}} controlling the pace for race leader Mark Cavendish.

With {{convert|15|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go, the breakaway quartet held a 2' 40" lead over the peloton, but this gap decreased on the run-in to Lodi. A crash occurred before a bend with {{convert|5|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go implicating Ben Jacques-Maynes ({{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}) and one of the race favorites Warren Barguil of {{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}; Jacques-Maynes did not finish the stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-2/results|title=Tour of California: Cavendish makes it two in Lodi|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 11, 2015|accessdate=May 11, 2015}} The breakaway was absorbed shortly afterwards and no one tried to escape the bunch from that point on. In a very fast finish, Wouter Wippert ({{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}) launched a long sprint and Sagan jumped onto his wheel. Cavendish opened his own sprint on the right side of the road and Sagan popped out of Wippert's wheel on the left, with Cavendish prevailing to take his second stage in a row, with Wippert rounding-up the podium.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/cavendish_beats_sagan_in_close_sprint_in_california/|title=Cavendish beats Sagan in close sprint in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 11, 2015|accessdate=May 11, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

{{clear}}

;May 12, 2015 — San Jose to San Jose, {{convert|105.7|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage3|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506220046/http://cloudweb101.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage3|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|title=Stage 3 – San Jose|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}

The third stage of the race featured only one intermediate sprint, contested in Livermore, then the climbing began. There were six King of the Mountains prizes (four were category 4 and one was category 2), with the major one being the climb to Mount Hamilton, an "hors-category" climb of {{convert|6.5|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} at an average 7% gradient.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-3/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 3|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}} One of the category 4 climbs was situated at the end of the stage in San Jose, where the finale featured {{convert|250|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} at an average gradient of 10%. The elevation gain for the stage was {{convert|10200|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage3_Profile_v3.pdf|title=Stage 3 – San Jose to San Jose|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512210007/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage3_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-date=May 12, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:Toms Skujins.jpg ({{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}) won the stage, following a {{convert|34|mi|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} solo attack, which gave him the lead in the general classification.]]

As the riders rolled out of the neutral zone, the temperatures were around {{convert|60|F|1|abbr=on}} and sunny. Two riders did not take the start of the stage: Warren Barguil of {{UCI team code|TGA|2015}} and Tyler Magner of {{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}, both due to a crash that occurred on the second stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/barguil-out-of-california-after-stage-2-crash|title=Barguil out of California after stage 2 crash|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015}} The start of the stage was very fast since a lot of riders wanted a chance to get the mountain points on offer during the stage. After {{convert|15|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of racing and numerous attempts at forming a breakaway, riders were being dropped due to the rapid pace. Travis Meyer ({{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}) was first through the intermediate sprint as the composition of the leading group was still changing by the minute. Soon, Roy Curvers ({{UCI team code|TGA|2015|nolink=yes}}), Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}), Jonathan Clarke ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}), Evan Huffman ({{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}), Oscar Clark and Toms Skujiņš (both of {{UCI team code|HSD|2015|nolink=yes}}) joined Meyer and formed the break.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/fantastic_skujins_denies_sagan_the_victory_in_california/|title=Fantastic Skujins denies Sagan the victory in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 12, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

Oss swept the three fourth-category climbs prior to Mount Hamilton, as the gap to the escapees was hovering around three-and-a-quarter minutes. At the foot of the climb, Skujiņš accelerated away from his companions and took maximum points,{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/mark-cavendish-loses-tour-of-california-overall-lead-to-surprise-stage-winner-170979|title=Mark Cavendish loses Tour of California overall lead to surprise stage winner|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 12, 2015|author=Nigel Wynn|archive-date=May 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515030437/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/mark-cavendish-loses-tour-of-california-overall-lead-to-surprise-stage-winner-170979|url-status=dead}} while behind him, the peloton split into several groups as they tackled the climb. Following the descent, Peter Sagan suffered a mechanical incident, but was able to rejoin the peloton. Skujiņš won the second-category climb at Quimby, but crashed on the descent as he made contact with a protective hay stack. After remounting, Skujiņš held a lead of two-and-a-half minutes over Oss with {{convert|12|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to cover, with a further minute-and-a-half to the next main group. Skujiņš remained clear to the end of the stage, completing a {{convert|34|mi|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} solo victory to take the lead of both the general and mountains classifications.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-3/results|title=Tour of California stage 3: Skujins wins in San Jose|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 12, 2015}} Sagan, Julian Alaphilippe and Daniel Jaramillo were 1' 06" back, with a further 20 riders coming across the line 3 seconds later.

{{clear}}

;May 13, 2015 — Pismo Beach to Avila Beach, {{convert|106.9|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/stage4|title=Stage 4 – Pismo Beach to Avila Beach|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505062307/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/stage4|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:Antwerpen - Scheldeprijs, 8 april 2015, vertrek (B116).JPG (pictured at the Scheldeprijs) took his second win of the season, ahead of Wouter Wippert and sprints classification leader Mark Cavendish.]]

The fourth stage featured three intermediate sprints once again, contested in Guadalupe, Orcutt and Arroyo Grande respectively. Between the final two sprints, the peloton had to ascend a {{convert|4.7|mi|abbr=off|adj=on|sp=us}} third-category climb on Tepusquet Road. The altitude gained in the parcours was {{convert|5200|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage4_Profile_v3.pdf|title=Stage 4 – Pismo Beach to Avila Beach|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505040606/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage4_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}

Despite the stiff crosswinds, the peloton rode at speeds approaching {{convert|30|mph|abbr=on|sp=us}} early on. The first sprint was won by Gregory Daniel ({{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}) while the race was still in "breakaway formation mode". Daniel was one of five riders that would eventually be part of the day's breakaway, along with Jesse Anthony ({{UCI team code|OPT|2015}}), Kiel Reijnen ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}), Daniel Teklehaimanot ({{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}) and Will Clarke ({{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}) – who had featured in the break on stage one.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-4/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 4|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 13, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}} Daniel was the highest-placed rider in the breakaway, trailing race leader Toms Skujiņš of {{UCI team code|HSD|2015|nolink=yes}} by exactly eight minutes; he also took the honors in the second intermediate sprint at Orcutt. On the run-in to the climb of Tepusquet Road, the peloton was being marshaled by {{UCI team code|HSD|2015|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} as the gap hovered at three-and-a-half minutes. The {{convert|4.7|mi|adj=on|abbr=off|sp=us}} ascent of Tepusquet Road averaged 5% until the final kilometer, which was steeper at nearly 7%. The gap to the leaders reduced on the climb, with Anthony taking maximum points at the front.

After descending from the climb, the riders had to deal with a change of wind direction on the flatter roads, and {{UCI team code|BEL|2015}} unsuccessfully tried to create echelons.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/sagan_breaks_his_drought_in_uphill_sprint_in_california/|title=Sagan breaks his drought in uphill sprint in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 13, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}} As the riders reached the last intermediate sprint in Arroyo Grande – again won by Daniel – with {{convert|20|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go, the break held a 35-second lead. The escapees started a flurry of attacks, with Daniel the last to be caught with {{convert|10|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to cover. With {{convert|5|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} left, the peloton was spread across the road, trying to sort out their lead-out trains ahead of a technical finish, with three 90-degree corners in the last kilometer and a short, steep rise right before the line. Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) tried his luck under the red kite, but was joined with about {{convert|100|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} remaining as Sagan powered his way past him to claim his second victory of the season, followed by Wouter Wippert ({{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}) and Mark Cavendish.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/peter-sagan-beats-mark-cavendish-to-win-tour-of-california-stage-four-171227|title=Peter Sagan beats Mark Cavendish to win Tour of California stage four|work=Cycling Weekly|publisher=IPC Media Sports & Leisure network|date=May 13, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015|author=Nigel Wynn}} With a 10-second bonus for his victory, Sagan reduced Skujiņš' overall classification lead to 22 seconds.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-4/results|title=Tour of California: Sagan finally gets his win in Avila Beach|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 13, 2015|accessdate=May 13, 2015}}

{{clear}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Jure Kocjan|SLO|{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|John Murphy|USA|{{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}|+ 0"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

||

{{cyclingresult start|title=General classification after stage 4}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Toms Skujiņš|LAT|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|18h 10' 57"|{{cjersey|yellow|General classification}}{{cjersey|polkadot|Mountains classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Peter Sagan|SVK|{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|+ 22"}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Rob Britton|CAN|{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|+ 43"}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Julian Alaphilippe|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|+ 44"|{{cjersey|white|Young rider classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Daniel Jaramillo|COL|{{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}|+ 44"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Robert Gesink|NED|{{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}|+ 47"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Ben Hermans|BEL|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|+ 47"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Dion Smith|NZL|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|+ 47"}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Lawson Craddock|USA|{{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}|+ 47"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Jay McCarthy|AUS|{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|+ 47"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

|}

;May 14, 2015 — Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, {{convert|95.7|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/stage5|title=Stage 5 – Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505003737/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/stage5|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:2015 Tour of California, stage 5 (A).jpg

The stage had two intermediate sprint contests held in Ojai and Santa Paula. Four categorized climbs were on the itinerary, two of them (both fourth-category) being situated on State Route 150, along with the third-category Dennison Grade and the fourth-category Balcom Canyon. The last {{convert|25|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of the stage to Santa Clarita was mainly flat, with the listed official elevation gain for the stage given as {{convert|7600|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage5_Profile_v3.pdf|title=Stage 5 – Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505040523/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage5_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-date=May 5, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:Danilo Wyss-IMG 1217 (cropped).JPG (pictured at the 2011 Tour de Romandie) was the last of the breakaway riders to be caught, {{convert|2|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} from the finish.]]

From the start, Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}) tried to get clear from the peloton since he was in second place in the Mountains competition, one point behind Toms Skujiņš ({{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}), who led this classification as well as the general classification. Oss was unsuccessful in his attempt, but his teammate Danilo Wyss also tried to get clear, despite being only 47 seconds down on the general classification. This move sparked some chasing by the peloton, but after around {{convert|10|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of racing, the gap had extended to one-and-a-half minutes.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-5/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 5|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}} Wyss was joined the breakway by Alex Howes ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}), Javier Mejías ({{UCI team code|TNN|2015}}), Lachlan Morton ({{UCI team code|JBC|2015}}) and Geoffrey Curran of {{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}. The responsibility for the chase fell upon {{UCI team code|HSD|2015|nolink=yes}}'s riders, whose task it was to manage the gap. The break soon hit the first two short, steep categorized climbs near Lake Casitas, with Wyss leading the quintet over on both occasions.

After the descent of the latter climb, there was about {{convert|10|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} of flat roads to the first intermediate sprint in Ojai, which was won by Howes. Immediately after that, the riders ascended the Dennison Grade climb, won by Morton. With {{convert|60|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go, rain started falling and some riders opted to put rain jackets on as the temperatures dipped to {{convert|56|F|1|abbr=on}}. The leaders passed Santa Paula where Wyss won the last intermediate sprint of the day. The very steep climb of Balcom Canyon was won by Morton, while behind Chris Butler of {{UCI team code|SSC|2015}} attacked from the main field and tried to bridge to the escapees. After chasing for {{convert|8|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}}, Butler was able to bridge the gap to make the lead group a sextet. With the rain making the roads slippery, the lead group split in two with only Howes, Curran and Wyss remaining clear with a gap of 1' 50" with {{convert|25|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to race.

{{UCI team code|HSD|2015|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} marshaled the peloton, but they were unable to make ground in the rain, with the leaders continuing to lead by 1' 50" with {{convert|14|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to the finish. Danny Pate of {{UCI team code|SKY|2015}} and some {{UCI team code|DPC|2015}} riders came to the fore to help out with the chase, but Wyss attacked the break after a crash occurred in the field. He was finally caught with {{convert|2|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} remaining.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-5/results|title=Tour of California: Mark Cavendish wins stage 5|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 14, 2015}} A bunch sprint ensued on drier roads in Santa Clarita, with Mark Cavendish taking his third stage victory,{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/race-report/cavendish-three-peat-at-amgen-tour-of-california_370275|title=Cavendish three-peat at Amgen Tour of California|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 14, 2015|author=Spencer Powlison|archive-date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516010534/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/race-report/cavendish-three-peat-at-amgen-tour-of-california_370275|url-status=dead}} beating Zico Waeytens ({{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}) by a bike length.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/cavendish_makes_the_hattrick_on_wet_day_in_california/|title=Cavendish makes the hattrick on wet day in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 14, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}} With third place, Peter Sagan reduced Skujiņš' overall lead for a second consecutive day, with the lead standing at 18 seconds.

;May 15, 2015 — Santa Clarita to Santa Clarita, {{convert|6.6|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}, individual time trial (ITT){{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/short-course-for-revised-tour-of-california-time-trial|title=Short course for revised Tour of California time trial|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 14, 2015}}

File:2015 Tour of California, stage 6 (B).jpg theme park in Santa Clarita.]]

Big Bear Lake, situated at an altitude of {{convert|6000|ft|1|abbr=off|sp=us}}, was supposed to welcome the event but was forecast to receive {{convert|2|-|5|in|abbr=off|sp=us}} of snow.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2015/05/15/snow-forces-relocation-tour-california-time-trial|title=Snow forces relocation of Tour of California time trial|work=Cycling Central|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015}} As a result, race organizers opted to move the event {{convert|100|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} east to Santa Clarita, with the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park serving as both the start and finish location of the stage. The course was mainly flat and did not feature many corners, but there was a 180 degree turnaround. Race director Jim Birrell stated that "the result is really anyone's guess" ahead of the stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/bad_weather_shortens_california_time_trial/|title=Bad weather shortens California time trial|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 14, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

File:Kuurne - Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, 1 maart 2015 (B227).JPG (pictured at Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne) spent almost two hours with the best time, before being usurped by Peter Sagan]]

As was customary of time trial stages, cyclists set off in reverse order from where they were ranked in the general classification at the end of the previous stage. Therefore, Carson Miller of {{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}, who, in 133rd place trailed overall leader Toms Skujiņš ({{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}) by forty-two minutes and eighteen seconds, was the first rider to set off on the final stage. Riders went on the course at one-minute intervals until the last twenty competitors, who left at two-minute intervals. There was a tailwind coming out of the start gates and a headwind coming back with temperatures hovering around {{convert|62|F|1|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-6/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 6|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}}

45 minutes into the event, the erstwhile stage leader was Jos van Emden ({{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}) with a time of 12' 46". An hour into the stage and with 36 riders having completed the course, van Emden still led the timesheets. Many of the cyclists in the early wave were out on the course on their usual road machine, with no aero bars to gain an aerodynamic advantage. Mark Cavendish – standing 62nd in the general classification – overtook the rider in front of him, sprinter Zico Waeytens ({{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}), as he finished thirty seconds down on van Emden's time. Daniele Bennati ({{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}) then set the second-fastest time, seven seconds down on van Emden.

Shortly afterwards, Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}), wearing the polka dot jersey as he was second to Skujiņš in the mountains classification, set a time of 12' 59", which was the fourth-best time to that point. Overall classification favorite Sergio Henao ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}) completed the course in a time of 12' 57", with {{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}'s Robert Gesink a second slower.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-6/results|title=Tour of California: Peter Sagan wins time trial|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015}} Van Emden had to wait until the penultimate rider Peter Sagan got on the course for his time to be beaten. Sagan negotiated the corners aggressively and registered a time of 12' 32", besting van Emden by fourteen seconds. With Skujiņš finishing 46 seconds behind in 34th position, Sagan moved into the race lead by 28 seconds.{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/race-report/sagan-wears-amgen-tour-of-california-yellow-after-winning-tt_370429|title=Sagan wears Amgen Tour of California yellow after winning TT|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|author=Spencer Powlison|archive-date=June 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160612053222/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/race-report/sagan-wears-amgen-tour-of-california-yellow-after-winning-tt_370429|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/sagan_crushes_the_opposition_in_californian_time_trial/|title=Sagan crushes the opposition in Californian time trial|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 15, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

;May 16, 2015 — Ontario to Mount Baldy, {{convert|80|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage7|title=Stage 7 – Ontario to Mt. Baldy|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506220047/http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage7|archive-date=May 6, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:2015 Tour of California, stage 7 (A).jpg

The queen stage of the 2015 Tour of California, the riders contended with the first King of the Mountains climb, the second-category ascent of Glendora Ridge Road. After descending into Glendora for an intermediate sprint, the climbing resumed with another second-category climb, the Glendora Mountain Road, before an hors-category climb to the stage finish at Mount Baldy Ski Lifts. This ascent, with 15 hairpins, took the competitors from an altitude of about {{convert|1000|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} to approximately {{convert|6800|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, and reached a maximum gradient of 17%. The stage had the biggest elevation gain of the race, with {{convert|11600|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}} of climbing and featured hardly any flat terrain.{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage7_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505040532/http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage7_Profile_v3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2015|title=Stage 7 – Ontario to Mt. Baldy|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}

File:Leuven - Brabantse Pijl, 15 april 2015, vertrek (B224).JPG (pictured at Brabantse Pijl) won the queen stage of the race, and moved into the race lead by two seconds ahead of Peter Sagan, prior to the final stage.]]

As the race got underway, reports indicated that the temperatures at the finish line were as low as {{convert|42|F|abbr=on}}. The race start saw a flurry of attacks which were quickly brought back. On the climb to Glendora Ridge Road, a break tried to get clear including the first two riders in the mountains classification, Toms Skujiņš ({{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}) and Daniel Oss ({{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}), who were separated by one point. The other breakaway riders were Gregory Brenes ({{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}), Lasse Norman Hansen ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}), Chris Butler ({{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}), Daniele Ratto ({{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}) and Johann van Zyl of {{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}. Before the end of the climb, Skujiņš – who was second in the general classification – returned to the peloton; Lachlan Morton of {{UCI team code|JBC|2015}} joined the break as Ratto and Norman Hansen were distanced. Oss took maximum points on the climb, with the peloton around two minutes behind at that point – of the breakaway riders, Oss was best placed in the general classification at 9' 29" behind race leader Peter Sagan.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-7/live-report|title=Live coverage - Tour of California 2015: Stage 7|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 17, 2015|author=Laura Weislo}}

The breakaway was splitting up on the twisting, narrow descent with Oss, Butler and Morton going clear for a period, but they were chased by the rest of the former breakaway group (with the exception of Butler), who made contact on the run-in to Glendora. Meanwhile, the peloton – led by {{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}, {{UCI team code|TTS|2015}} and {{UCI team code|BEL|2015}} – containing the favorites and Sagan were almost four minutes in arrears. Norman Hansen led the breakaway group through the intermediate sprint, prior to a mostly uphill section for {{convert|25|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} until the finish line. Van Zyl attacked and Oss, now in the lead of the mountains classification, made contact with him. With {{convert|20|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to race, the gap from the peloton to the front of the race was two minutes and {{UCI team code|SKY|2015|nolink=yes}} upped the pace in an effort to drop Sagan. After Oss won maximum points at the Glendora Mountain Road climb, he dropped back to the peloton, leaving van Zyl on his own out front.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/alaphilippe_wins_dramatic_queen_stage_in_california/|title=Alaphilippe wins dramatic queen stage in California|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}

Skujiņš was distanced with {{convert|15|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} remaining, ensuring that he was fall down the order from second overall. Once van Zyl was caught, all the favorites were still in the leading group along with Sagan, with {{convert|12|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} remaining. 2012 Mount Baldy stage winner Robert Gesink of {{UCI team code|BEL|2015|nolink=yes}} was dropped with {{convert|3.5|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to cover, while young rider classification leader Julian Alaphilippe ({{UCI team code|EQS|2015|nolink=yes}}) took the lead of the very depleted group. {{UCI team code|SKY|2015|nolink=yes}}'s Sergio Henao attacked, which caused Sagan to be dropped as he attempted to hold onto the race lead. Alaphilippe responded to Henao's attack, and ultimately dropped him on the snow-lined roads. He soloed through the twisting final kilometres featuring bad tarmac, and held on to take his first win of the season after numerous podium placings.{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/road/alaphilippe-takes-stage-7-win-gc-lead-in-amgen-tour_370515|title=Alaphilippe takes stage 7 win, GC lead in Amgen Tour|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015|archive-date=May 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517195303/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/road/alaphilippe-takes-stage-7-win-gc-lead-in-amgen-tour_370515|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com/cycling/story/frances-alaphilippe-wins-to-take-tour-of-california-lead-051615|title=France's Alaphilippe wins to take Tour of California lead|agency=AP|work=Fox Sports|publisher=2015 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC.|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015}} Henao finished second, 23 seconds in arrears, alongside teammate Ian Boswell, while Sagan finished in sixth place some 47 seconds behind, meaning that Alaphilippe held a two-second lead in the general classification ahead of the final stage.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-7/results|title=Tour of California: Alaphilippe wins on Mt. Baldy|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 16, 2015|accessdate=May 16, 2015}}

;May 17, 2015 — L.A. Live to Pasadena, {{convert|59|mi|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage8|title=Stage 8 – L.A. LIVE to Pasadena|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506220048/http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/stage8|archive-date=May 6, 2015|url-status=dead}}

File:2015 Tour of California, stage 8 (A).jpg

The last stage of the race was also its shortest road stage at {{convert|59|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}}. There was one intermediate sprint point at the first crossing of the finish line near the Rose Bowl, before the riders completed nine laps of a circuit in Pasadena. The total elevation gain was {{convert|2000|ft|abbr=off|sp=us}}, with no categorized climbs.{{cite news|url=http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage8_Profile_v3.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505040827/http://cloudweb107.atoc.smartycloud.com/uploads/images/2015stages/2015_AmgenTOC_Stage8_Profile_v3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 5, 2015|title=Stage 8 – LA LIVE to Pasadena/Rose Bowl Stadium|publisher=AMGEN Tour of California|accessdate=May 4, 2015}}

File:Cambrai - Tour de France, étape 4, 7 juillet 2015, arrivée (B39).JPG (pictured later in the season at the Tour de France) won the general classification on the final stage, ahead of Julian Alaphilippe. His three-second winning margin was the smallest in the race's history.]]

This stage was supposed to have no consequences on the general classification due to its flat terrain, but the two-second difference separating Julian Alaphilippe and Peter Sagan meant that the Tour was not yet decided. A maximum of thirteen bonus seconds were on offer in the stage – the first three riders at both the intermediate sprint (3, 2 and 1 seconds) and the stage finish (10, 6 and 4 seconds) were able to gain time on the general classification.{{cite news|url=http://pedalmag.com/amgen-tour-of-california-stage-8-final-report-results-gc-and-photos-sagan-wins-overall-britton-10th/|title=Amgen Tour of California Stage 8 Final Report, Results, GC and PHOTOS – Sagan Wins Overall, Britton 10th|work=Pedal|publisher=Pedal Magazine|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015}}

The race got underway in sunny weather, with temperatures around {{convert|70|F|1|abbr=on}}. A breakaway was formed, consisting of two {{UCI team code|EQS|2015}} riders, Matteo Trentin and Yves Lampaert, Danny Pate ({{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}), Jacques Janse van Rensburg ({{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}) and Ruben Zepuntke ({{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}). {{UCI team code|TTS|2015}} pulled at the front since they wanted to bring back the break so Sagan could have a chance to sprint for bonus seconds in the intermediate sprint. The team was down two riders since Maciej Bodnar and Michael Kolář had to abandon earlier in the race. Mark Cavendish stated that he would work for Alaphilippe and forget his own ambitions for a fourth stage victory.{{cite news|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/peter-sagan-comes-from-behind-to-win-the-amgen-tour-of-california_370623|title=Peter Sagan comes from behind to win the Amgen Tour of California|work=VeloNews|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc.|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 17, 2015|archive-date=May 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520002449/http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/05/news/peter-sagan-comes-from-behind-to-win-the-amgen-tour-of-california_370623|url-status=dead}}

{{convert|10|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} prior to the intermediate sprint, the breakaway was reeled in. Subsequent attacks came from several {{UCI team code|EQS|2015|nolink=yes}} riders but on each occasion were reabsorbed to the peloton. At the intermediate sprint, Cavendish won ahead of Sagan and Alaphilippe, meaning that Alaphilippe held a virtual lead of one second. Immediately after the sprint, two {{UCI team code|HSD|2015}} riders went clear, Joseph Lewis and Oscar Clark. They were soon joined by {{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}'s Manuel Senni and Jesse Anthony ({{UCI team code|OPT|2015}}).

{{Quote box

|quote = I'm very happy to win the Tour of California, also because this year I lost the green jersey, so I had to do something here to get on the podium.

|author = Peter Sagan, following his overall race victory

|source = Cyclingnews.com{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sagan-wins-california-crown-by-a-whisker|title=Sagan wins California crown by a whisker|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 18, 2015|author=Pat Malach}}

|width = 33.33%

|align = right

}}

The sprinters' teams came to the fore, and with {{convert|20|mi|1|abbr=off|sp=us}} to go, the average speed of the race had been {{convert|28|mph|1|abbr=on|sp=us}}. Cavendish ultimately did take his fourth stage win of the race, ahead of Wouter Wippert. Third place went to a photo finish between Sagan and Tyler Farrar, with Sagan's bike throw on the line giving him the decision, the four-second resultant time bonus and the overall race victory by three seconds – the closest race-winning margin in its history – over Alaphilippe.{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingquotes.com/news/sagan_wins_california_thriller_cavendish_takes_final_stage/|title=Sagan wins California thriller, Cavendish takes final stage|work=Cycling Quotes|publisher=CyclingQuotes.com|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 17, 2015|author=Emil Axelgaard}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-of-california-2015/stage-8/results|title=Sagan wins Tour of California on time bonus|website=Cyclingnews.com|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=May 17, 2015}}

{{clear}}

In the 2015 Tour of California, five jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding the finishing times of the stages per cyclist, the leader received a yellow jersey sponsored by biopharmaceutical company Amgen, the title sponsor of the race as a whole. Time bonuses were awarded for the first three finishers on mass-start stages (10, 6 and 4 seconds respectively) and on intermediate sprints (3, 2 and 1 seconds respectively). This classification was considered the most important of the Tour of California, and the winner of the general classification was considered the winner of the Tour of California.

Additionally, there was also a sprints classification, akin to what is called the points classification in other races, which awarded a green and neon yellow jersey sponsored by nonprofit organization Visit California. In the sprints classification, cyclists received points for finishing in the top 15 in a stage. In addition, some points could be won in intermediate sprints as well as bonus seconds in the overall classification. The first across the line got 3 seconds, the second two and the third rider, one.

There was also a mountains classification, which awarded a white jersey with red polka dots, sponsored by automobile manufacturer Nissan. In the mountains classification, points were won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb was categorized, with more points available for the harder climbs. There was also a young rider classification, which was calculated the same way as the general classification, but only cyclists under the age of 23 were included. The leader of the young rider classification received a white and red jersey, sponsored by bicycle component manufacturer SRAM Corporation.

The last jersey was awarded to the most combative rider of a stage for him to wear on the next stage. It was generally awarded to a rider who attacked constantly or spent a lot of time in the breakaways. This jersey was white, blue and yellow, and was also sponsored by Amgen and their Breakaway from Cancer collaboration with four nonprofit organizations. There was also a classification for teams. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per stage were added, and the team with the lowest time was the leader.{{cite news|url=http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/competition/jerseys|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305151048/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/competition/jerseys|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 5, 2014|title=Official 2015 Jerseys|work=AMGEN Tour Of California|publisher=2009, AEG|accessdate=May 10, 2013}}

{{columns-start}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=Final general classification}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Peter Sagan|SVK|{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|28h 13' 12"|{{cjersey|yellow|General classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Julian Alaphilippe|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|+ 3"|{{cjersey|white|Young rider classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Sergio Henao|COL|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|+ 37"}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Joe Dombrowski|USA|{{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}|+ 1' 14"}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Robert Gesink|NED|{{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}|+ 1' 15"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Haimar Zubeldia|ESP|{{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}|+ 1' 16"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Ian Boswell|USA|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|+ 1' 23"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Riccardo Zoidl|AUT|{{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}|+ 1' 24"}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Peter Kennaugh|GBR|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|+ 1' 44"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Rob Britton|CAN|{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|+ 2' 10"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{column}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=Final sprints classification|points=yes}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Mark Cavendish|GBR|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|75|{{cjersey|green|Points classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Peter Sagan|SVK|{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|62|{{cjersey|yellow|General classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Wouter Wippert|NED|{{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}|38}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Jempy Drucker|LUX|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|26}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Zico Waeytens|BEL|{{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}|22}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Will Clarke|AUS|{{UCI team code|DPC|2015}}|20}}

{{cyclingresult|7|John Murphy|USA|{{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}|19}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Tyler Farrar|USA|{{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}|19}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Lucas Sebastián Haedo|ARG|{{UCI team code|JSH|2015}}|16}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Robin Carpenter|USA|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|15}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=Final young rider classification}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Julian Alaphilippe|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|28h 13' 15"|{{cjersey|white|Young rider classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Tao Geoghegan Hart|GBR|{{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}|+ 2' 33"}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Jay McCarthy|AUS|{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|+ 3' 13"}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Manuel Senni|ITA|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|+ 4' 43"}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Dion Smith|NZL|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|+ 4' 52"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Lawson Craddock|USA|{{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}|+ 9' 35"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Ruben Guerreiro|POR|{{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}|+ 12' 47"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|James Oram|NZL|{{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}|+ 20' 38"}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Jasper Stuyven|BEL|{{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}|+ 22' 59"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Robin Carpenter|USA|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|+ 25' 43"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{column}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=Final mountains classification|points=yes}}

{{cyclingresult|1|Daniel Oss|ITA|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|48|{{cjersey|polkadot|Mountains classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|2|Toms Skujiņš|LAT|{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|33}}

{{cyclingresult|3|Lachlan Morton|AUS|{{UCI team code|JBC|2015}}|20}}

{{cyclingresult|4|Julian Alaphilippe|FRA|{{UCI team code|EQS|2015}}|14|{{cjersey|white|Young rider classification}}}}

{{cyclingresult|5|Johann van Zyl|RSA|{{UCI team code|MTN|2015}}|14}}

{{cyclingresult|6|Evan Huffman|USA|{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|13}}

{{cyclingresult|7|Jonathan Clarke|AUS|{{UCI team code|UHC|2015}}|13}}

{{cyclingresult|8|Sergio Henao|COL|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|11}}

{{cyclingresult|9|Ian Boswell|USA|{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|11}}

{{cyclingresult|10|Danilo Wyss|SWI|{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|10}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{columns-end}}

{{cyclingresult start|title=Final teams classification|rider=no}}

{{cyclingresult|1|||{{UCI team code|SKY|2015}}|84h 43' 10"}}

{{cyclingresult|2|||{{UCI team code|TFR|2015}}|+ 4' 06"}}

{{cyclingresult|3|||{{UCI team code|BMC|2015}}|+ 5' 35"}}

{{cyclingresult|4|||{{UCI team code|TTS|2015}}|+ 8' 40"}}

{{cyclingresult|5|||{{UCI team code|TCG|2015}}|+ 22' 01"}}

{{cyclingresult|6|||{{UCI team code|HBA|2015}}|+ 23' 37"}}

{{cyclingresult|7|||{{UCI team code|BEL|2015}}|+ 38' 24"}}

{{cyclingresult|8|||{{UCI team code|HSD|2015}}|+ 42' 52"}}

{{cyclingresult|9|||{{UCI team code|TGA|2015}}|+ 45' 22"}}

{{cyclingresult|10|||{{UCI team code|SSC|2015}}|+ 46' 28"}}

{{cyclingresult end}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605105845/http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/|date=June 5, 2015|title=Official website}}

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Category:Tour of California

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