The Team Sky rider attacked on the penultimate climb of the 196.5 kilometre stage from South Lake to Tahoe.

He moved clear on the Daggett Summit climb and pulled away from his rivals, including race leader Tejay van Garderen, with the American having no response.

Bernal boasted a lead of over one minute heading into the final ascent at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

The Colombian crossed the line in a time of 5hours 30min 58sec to earn his second stage win of the race.

Britain’s Adam Yates and Teo Geoghegan Hart were the next riders across the line, as they crossed 1:28 and 1:30 down on the winner.

Van Garderen crossed a further eight seconds down in seventh on the stage.

The result would see Bernal reclaim the race lead, with the Colombian now holding a 1:25 advantage over Van Garderen.

The race will conclude tomorrow with a 146km stage in Sacramento.

The three stage women’s race continue with a 108km route, which also drew to a close in South Lake Tahoe.

Katie Hall emerged as the stage winner, with the American attacking in the final five kilometres with Tayler Wiles.

Hall crossed the line in first in a time of 3:06.41, with fellow American Wiles ending 25 seconds off the pace as the runner-up.

Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma ended third, 1:01 behind the stage winner.

Hall will take a 29 seconds lead over Wiles into tomorrow’s final stage in Sacramento.