Meanwhile, world and Olympic champion Anna van der Breggen of the Netherlands won the first stage of the women’s race that got under way in Ventura.

American van Garderen, riding for EF Education First, was given the same time as the lead group at the end of stage four of this International Cycling Union (UCI) World Tour event after he had crashed twice within the final seven kilometres of the course.

The race jury ruled that a crash that took place with three kilometres remaining had hindered van Garderen, who was by then riding the bike of his team-mate Lachlan Morton, getting back in contact with the lead group.

Rival team Astana filed an official protest with the International Cycling Union over the jury's decision, arguing that van Garderen had not been in contact with the main bunch when the second crash occurred and should not have been given the same time as the winner.

And Cycling News reports that the team manager of Deceuninck-Quick Step, Patrick Lefevere, had also criticised the decision.

“I don’t understand – it’s about cycling, the UCI jury and how they are incompetent,” Lefevere said.

“As a team we’re fighting to stay in the front of the race.

“If Tejay van Garderen is at the back of the bunch it’s not my fault or that of my riders…

“Is it because he’s American?

“I don’t know.

“I hope not.

“Look, nobody wants crashes.

“The worst thing in cycling is the crashes, but we will appeal.

“It’s about the principle.”

Garcia Cortina, riding for Bahrain Merida, sprinted home to win the 218.5km stage from Pismo Beach to Ventura in 4hr 56min 11sec, ahead of Argentina’s Max Richeze of Deceuninck-Quick Step and Colombia’s Sergio Higuita, of EF Education First.

Van Garderen finished 16th, with the same time, to retain a four-second overall lead from Deceuninck-Quiick Step’s Kasper Asgreen.

Gianni Moscon of Team Ineos is two seconds further back.

If the initial results had stood after stage four, van Garderen would have been in 13th place overall, with stage two winner Asgreen in the lead.

Deceuninck-Quick Step’s Italian rider Elia Viviani had his third-stage win annulled by the jury after he was judged to have unfairly hampered a rival during the final sprint.

Racing continues tomorrow with stage six, a 127.5km run from Ontario to Mount Baldy.

Van Der Breggen, riding for Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team, finished a 96.5km course around Ventura well clear in 2hr 36min 17sec.

She carries a 25-second lead over Italy’s Elisa Balsamo, representing Valcar Cyclance, into tomorrow’s second stage, a 74km course from Ontario to Mount Baldy.