Phinney takes stage five, Wiggins keeps California lead

Phinney enjoyed a 12-second win over runner-up Slovakian Peter Sagan after completing the 107.4 miles (173kms) from Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara in three hours, 59 minutes and 33 seconds. Australia's Matthew Goss finished third.

With just three days of racing remaining, Wiggins is showing no signs of ceding control.

The 2012 Tour de France champion, Wiggins took his initial lead following stage two and holds a 28-second advantage over Australia's Rohan Dennis.

The tour continues Friday with the 94-mile (152-km) sixth stage from Santa Clarita to Mountain High.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner, editing by Nick Mulvenney)