LottoNL-Jumbo’s George Bennett climbed to third in the Tour of California’s stage on Mount Baldy to hold second overall. The short queen stage was won by Andrew Talansky, who edged out Rafal Majka and George Bennett. Robert Gesink placed ninth and moved to eighth behind overall leader Majka.

"The team supported me today," Bennett said at the finish. "Bora, with race leader Majka, let the escape go further and then our team began the chase. I rode for victory, but in the final, I saw that Talansky and Majka had more in the tank."

Bert Jan Lindeman formed part of an early escape in the short stage to Mount Baldy. The group consisted of 22 riders, Tiago Machado being the most dangerous man. At 50 kilometres from a line, team LottoNL-Jumbo went to the front to take control.

"The team should be proud of what they did today. The young men did very well. I’ll take this experience to the next races."

Bennett and the rest of the team will race an individual 24-kilometre time trial at Bear Lake tomorrow, stage six of the seven-day stage race.