CLOVIS, Calif. (AP) -- Slovakia's Peter Sagan of Slovakia raced to his event-opening fourth straight stage victory in the Tour of California on Wednesday to increase his overall lead to 16 seconds. The 22-year-old Sagan, riding for Liquigas-Cannondale, finished the 130.2-mile stage from Sonora to Clovis -- the longest leg in the race -- in 5 hours, 18 minutes, 8 seconds in 95-degree conditions. Australia's Heinrich Haussler, racing for Garmin-Barracuda, was second for the fourth straight day, about a bike-length behind. Rabobank's Michael Matthews, also from Australia, was third in the stage.
Sagan's fourth straight 10-second bonus for a stage win gave him a 40-second advantage over the expected overall contenders, including defending champion Chris Horner, the RadioShack-Nissan rider from Bend, Ore The eight-day event continues Thursday with an 18.4-mile individual time trial in Bakersfield, followed by two mountain stages. The 735-mile race concludes Sunday with a 42-mile road race from Beverly Hills to Los Angeles.
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Marco Brito, of Reno, Nev., watches the peloton go by from on top of his truck during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Livermore, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The Amgen Tour of California peloton rode along Hwy 49 between Moccasin and Coulterville, Calif., on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The riders were approximately one mile below the first KOM in the day's stage. Modesto Bee / Tracy Barbutes
Peter Sagan leads the pack on his way to victory in Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California, in Clovis, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Fresno Bee / John Walker
Tracy Lane, right, from Clovis, California, runs along with the breakaway group of, from left, Thomas Peterson, George Bennett and Michael Rodriguez Galindo, as they make a climb in Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California, in Oakhurst, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Fresno Bee / Eric Paul Zamora
(Debbie Noda/dnoda@modbee.com)
A spectator seated in the window views the scene below on Washingston St., as racing bicycle are silhouetted on tops of cars before the start of the Amgen Tour of California, Stage 4 in Sonora, May 16, 2012. Modesto Bee / Debbie Noda
Riders pedal up Crane Valley Road near Oakhurst, Calif., on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, during the fourth stage of the Tour of California cycling race. The Fresno Bee / Eric Paul Zamora
Peter Sagan, of Slovakia, celebrates as he wins Stage 4 of the Tour of California cycling race on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in Clovis, Calif. The Fresno Bee / John Walker
Noah Cashman, 10, of Pinecrest, shows off his autographed shirt just signed by Peter Sagan before the start of the Amgen Tour of California, Stage 4 in Sonora, California, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Modesto Bee / Debbie Noda
Fans watch cyclists cross the finish line in Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California, in Clovis, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Fresno Bee / John Walker
Fans Bill Syvertsen, left, Joe Rodriguez, center, and Luis Papias show their appreciation for the winners during the awards ceremony after Stage 4 of the Amgen Tour of California, in Clovis, California, on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The Fresno Bee / John Walker
Kyle Deisig, left, Tracy Lane, second from left, Jacob Calles, dressed as a gorilla, Travis Krauter, in black hat, and Leo Calles, right, jump for a photograph taken by Therese Iknoian along Crane Valley Road minutes before the riders in the fourth stage of the Tour of California bicycle race pedaled by, Wednesday, May 16, 2012, in Oakhurst, Calif. The Fresno Bee / Eric Paul Zamora
The peloton rides on Highway 84 in Fremont, California, during Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The stage ran from San Jose to Livermore. San Jose Mercury News / Dai Sugano
The peloton makes its way through Clayton, California, during stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The stage ran from San Jose to Livermore. San Jose Mercury News / Susan Tripp Pollard
A lone photographer positions himself for a close-up view of the peloton passing the 1,000-foot elevation mark during Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, on the south side of Mt. Diablo east of Danville, California. Contra Costa Times / Karl Mondon
The four-man breakaway makes it's way around a bend in Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California near Milpitas, California, on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. The stage ran from San Jose to Livermore. San Jose Mercury News / Nhat V. Meyer
Riders pedal past wind turbines during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Livermore, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Spectators crowd next to riders during a climb at Mount Diablo State Park during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, near Clayton, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Ronnie Perry, of Brentwood, Calif., watches the peloton, including race leader Peter Sagan, right, of Slovakia, ride past during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Byron, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
John Chetham, of Pleasanton, Calif., takes photographs of riders during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race at Mount Diablo State Park on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, near Clayton, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton goes by a tree-lined street during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Danville, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Crowds watch riders climb on Mount Diablo State Park during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, near Clayton, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders climb on Mount Diablo State Park during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, near Clayton, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders spread out along a rural road during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Livermore, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders pedal through downtown Livermore, Calif., during the third stage of the Tour of California cycling race, Tuesday, May 15, 2012. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Peter Sagan, right, in yellow, of Slovakia, rides near some of his Liquigas-Cannondale teammates during Stage 3 of the Tour of California cycling race on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in Livermore, Calif. Sagan won the stage. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton makes a turn in Milpitas, Calif. early in Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California. The stage ran from San Jose to Livermore. San Jose Mercury News / Karen T. Borchers
Peter Sagan, of Slovakia, celebrates as he nears the finish line to win Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Santa Cruz , Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton rides next to the Golden Gate bridge during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on Monday, May 14, 2012 in San Francisco. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders huddle along Highway 1 past the Pigeon Point Lighthouse during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on, Monday, May 14, 2012 in Pescadero, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton rides along Crissy Field with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on Monday, May 14, 2012 in San Francisco. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton rides along the Great Highway along the Pacific ocean front during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on, Monday, May 14, 2012 in San Francisco. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton rides along Highway 1 with the Pacific ocean as a backdrop during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on Monday, May 14, 2012 in Montara, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Levi Leipheimer, left, rides next to Michael Mathews (44) of Australia, during Stage 2 of the Tour of California cycling race on, Monday, May 14, 2012 in San Francisco. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Peter Sagan, center, of Slovakia, celebrates at the finish line as he wins Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Santa Rosa, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton crosses a bridge over the Russian River during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Monte Rio, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders pedal on a climb during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Cazadero, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton rides through an area where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Jenner, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Defending champion Chis Horner, center, rides between teammates Markel Arranburu, left, of Spain, and Tiago Machado, of Portugal, during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Bridge Haven, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
The peloton crosses a bridge over the Russian River during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Monte Rio, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
May 13, 2012 - Santa Rosa, California, U.S. - The peloton races along Occidental Road over the Laguna de Santa Rosa during the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California on Sunday. Santa Rosa Press Democrat / Christopher Chung
Riders pedal past a vineyard during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012 in Windsor, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders pedal past vineyards during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race on Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Windsor, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Riders head through downtown Santa Rosa, Calif., during Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race Sunday, May 13, 2012. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
Levi Leipheimer, left, shakes hands with fans before Stage 1 of the Tour of California cycling race Sunday, May 13, 2012, in Santa Rosa, Calif. AP / Marcio Jose Sanchez
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