Cycling: Henderson third in final stage

New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson has finished third in a sprint finish to the final stage in the Tour of California.

Henderson was thrust into action by yet another solid lead-out display from his four remaining Team Sky teammates, with Chris Froome, Ian Stannard, Mathew Hayman and Ben Swift all taking turns on the front before unleashing Henderson on the closing straight.

As the 34-year-old kicked he was swamped from either side by stage winner Matthew Goss, of Australia, and Slovakian Peter Sagan, with the Australian ultimately taking a narrow victory over his Slovakian rival at the line.

Henderson battled on and sealed his second podium spot, and the team's fourth overall, by edging out Oscar Freire by the tightest of margins.

It completed a fine tour for Henderson, who won the third stage last week.

"Team Sky looked after me all day. Just got pinned on the barriers and couldn't find fresh air," Henderson tweeted.

Chris Horner won the Tour of California with a solid performance in the final stage, holding off RadioShack teammate Levi Leipheimer by 38 seconds.

The 39-year-old Horner was the oldest rider to finish the race. The 16-year veteran led the overall standings after each of the final five days, easily hanging on for his first Tour of California title.

Horner rode most of the final two stages alongside Leipheimer, the three-time race champion. Garmin-Cervelo's Tom Danielson finished third, and teammate Christian Vande Velde was fourth.

Matthew Goss won the 80.2-mile final stage from Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks, outsprinting his fellow leaders on the final lap.

- NZPA/AP