Tour of California 2019, stage seven results and standings: Tadej Pogacar seals overall as Cees Bol claims final-day victory

Tadej Pogacar sealed the general classification at the Tour of California on the steep slopes of Mount. Baldy.

With big names going on the attack midway through the final stage Saturday, UAE Team Emirates was able to consistently keep their young star out of trouble. And when the field came back for a sprint, all Pogacar had to do was raise his hands in overall victory.

Cees Bol of Sunweb won the bunch sprint ahead of three-time world champion Peter Sagan to win the seventh and final stage, while Jasper Philipsen capped a big day for UAE Team Emirates with a third-place finish.

Pogacar's first WorldTour stage race victory came ahead of Sergio Iguita, who went on the attack on one of the day's final climbs, and Kasper Asgreen of the strong Deceuninck-Quick Step team.

"This was my main goal this year," said the 20-year-old Pogacar, who was inspired to pick up cycling by his brother. "I knew that I was prepared. I surprised myself a bit that I took the overall win, but I'm really happy and I'm looking forward to next year."

The WorldTour is ongoing and continues later on Sunday with stage nine at the Giro d'Italia, the 34.8km time trial from Riccione to San Marino. The three-week race concludes in Verona on June 2.