February 20/15 9:35 am - Route & Teams Announced for Tour of California

Posted by Editoress on 02/20/15
 

Fourteen of the top women's cycling teams from around the world are confirmed to lead off the 10th edition of the Amgen Tour of California, with three days and 158 miles of stage racing on May 8-10 and an invitational Time Trial on May 15th. The four days of women's competition will be staged in conjunction with the men's eight-day race.

Powerhouse teams such as Velocio-SRAM (formerly Team Specialized-lululemon) and Alé-Cipollini boast rosters with some of the most decorated women in the sport will compete. Several of the teams expected to put forward top contenders for the overall win are also mounting counterparts in the men's race, including Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies, BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental (under the same management as Team SmartStop) and UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.

"After finishing in third place at La Course at Le Tour de France last year, I'm energized by the increased dedication to women's professional cycling by the biggest professional cycling race in North America," said Leah Kirchmann, Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies and Canadian National Champion. "The course looks amazing and I can't wait to be a part of the Amgen Tour of California."

The full list of teams that will race May 8-10 includes:
• Alé-Cipollini
• BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental
• Canada National Team
• Colavita|Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
• Grassi Pro Cycling Team Mexico
• Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team
• Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
• Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International
• Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
• Team TIBCO-SVB
• Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air
• UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
• Velocio-SRAM
• Xirayas de San Luis

Full rosters will be available in May for the three-day stage race as well as the Invitational Time Trial event.

The Union Cycliste International (UCI)-sanctioned women's stage race will travel through South Lake Tahoe on a scenic but challenging courses filled with climbs May 8-9, before concluding with an exciting and fast-paced circuit race in Sacramento on May 10th, the same day and location where the men's race begins hours later. For the fifth year running, the world's top-ranked time trialists are also being invited to race against the clock during a UCI-sanctioned women's Invitational Time Trial preceding the men's Time Trial (Stage 6) on May 15th in Big Bear Lake.

"We are excited for a race of this magnitude to continue to expand its commitment to women's racing. It's great for the riders, the fans and the sport overall," said Kristy Scrymgeour, Velocio-SRAM team manager. "It'll be a strong line up, so we're looking forward to some great racing."

Three-Day Stage Race Empowered with SRAM

Stage 1, Presented by SRAM
Friday, May 8 - Lake Tahoe Road Race
Start/Finish Location: Heavenly Mountain Resort
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Stage Length: 74 miles

Stage 2, Presented by Amgen
Saturday, May 9 - South Lake Tahoe Circuit Race
Start/Finish Location: Heavenly Mountain Resort
Start Time: 10:30 a.m.
Stage Length: 50 miles

Stage 3, Presented by Visit California
Sunday, May 10 - Sacramento Circuit Race
Start/Finish Location: State Capitol Building, L Street & 11th Street
Start Time: 11:15 a.m.
Stage Length: 34 Miles

Stage 6, Presented by Lexus
Women's Invitational Time Trial, Empowered with SRAM
Friday, May 15 - Big Bear Lake Individual Time Trial
Start Location: Village Drive & Pine Knot Avenue
Finish Location: Pine Knot Marina
Start Time: 11:00 a.m.
Stage Length: 15 miles

For further information about the Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.