March 18/13 16:03 pm - ATOC Announces Women's Time Trial Invite List

Posted by Editoress on 03/18/13
 

Race organizer AEG has confirmed participants for the third annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM, which will begin in San Jose at 12:45 p.m. Friday, May 17. This year’s invitation-only event will showcase 15 riders, including several event veterans, from the ranks of Olympians, world champions, national champions, and champions of other prestigious cycling events.

The women’s race is an ancillary event of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California 8-day cycling stage race, and will take place prior to the men’s Stage 6 individual time trial, using the same course the men will ride later that day. The race against the clock will be headlined by riders from top women’s teams, including Specialized-lululemon, TIBCO, Exergy Twenty16, NOW and Novartis for MS, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, and Vanderkitten, as well as several individual racers.

“As the largest stage race in the country, the Amgen Tour of California provides a unique opportunity to highlight the many facets of cycling,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We are honored to host another worldwide showcase for the best women in the sport today, and to provide even more depth and thrills for the millions of fans who will tune in that week.”

The full Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race roster includes:

    Alison Tetrick - Exergy Twenty16
    Mara Abbott - Exergy Twenty16
    Kristin McGrath - Exergy Twenty16
    Alison Powers - NOW and Novartis for MS
    Robin Farina - NOW and Novartis for MS
    Jade Wilcoxson - Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies
    Brianna Walle - Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies
    Jasmin Glaesser - Team TIBCO-to the Top
    Evelyn Stevens - Specialized-lululemon
    Ina-Yoko Teutenberg - Specialized-lululemon
    Rhae Shaw - Vanderkitten
    Amber Neben - Pasta Zara Cogeas
    Katie Compton (cyclocross)
    Julie Dibens (triathlete)

The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race will offer a $10,000 prize, as well as potentially help shape the outcome for another important race on the women’s calendar – the USA Cycling Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships on May 25 in Chattanooga, TN.

“It’s thrilling to ride in such a coveted event as the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race,” said Kurt Stockton, Team Director and Race Team Manager, NOW and Novartis for MS Women's Pro Cycling Team. “As an added bonus, the full-length course is the ideal preparation for the 19 miles that will determine the 2013 U.S. Time Trial Champion – you can bet riders will be fine tuning and putting in every ounce as they prepare for that competition.”

The San Jose time trial is a 19.6-mile course that begins on Bailey Avenue and features a climb soon after the riders push off the start ramp. As the racers navigate around beautiful lakes and golf courses, they will prepare for the most difficult finish posed by any Amgen Tour of California time trial course. Once they make the final right turn on the route, they will face the strenuous, three kilometer climb up Metcalf Road to the finish at Metcalf Motorcycle Park. The riders will gain nearly 1,000 feet in elevation and attack several pitches with a grade of 10 percent or more.

“The time trial in San Jose is going to be a real test,” said Specialized-lululemon rider Evelyn Stevens, who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games. “They saved the best for last on this course – the climb to the finish line will definitely be a feat to tackle with so much elevation gain so quick. It will be awesome to watch and participate in.”

Fans who cannot attend the race in person will be able to tune into the racing excitement and see real-time results from the women’s and men’s races on the Tour Tracker at www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com.

Press release