Slovenia's Peter Sagan won the opening stage of the Tour of California ©UCI

Slovenia's three-time world champion Peter Sagan triumphed on the first stage of the Tour of California. 

It was the 17th time Sagan had won a stage of the International Cycling Union World Tour race. 

It was also the first time that the Bora-Hansgrohe cyclist had secured victory this year since stage three of the Tour Down Under in January. 

Sagan finished the 143 kilometre route in Sacramento in 3hrs 14mins 10 secs, prevailing in a sprint finish.

He crossed the line ahead of Travis McCabe of the United States' Cycling national team.

In third was Germany's Max Walscheid of Team Sunweb. 

Sagan will wear the leader's jersey going into tomorrow's 194.5 kilometre second stage between Rancho Cordova and South Lake Tahoe, featuring a 2,616 metre climb.