Posted by Editoress on 05/10/15
Kirchmann Takes Second Consecutive Win in California
Leah Kirchmann sprinted to victory for the second time in two days, this time in front of the Sacramento state capitol building and across the final finish line of the Women's Tour of California. After two stages filled with climbing at altitude around Lake Tahoe, the final stage descended to sea level for a flat, fast paced six corner, 17-lap circuit race. With Kirchmann proving herself on Tahoe's steeper terrain, Sacramento provided some familiar territory for the sprint specialist and Canadian criterium national champ.
"The team rode very well today, and Leah followed the right sprinter at the end. She placed herself well, and she used her incredible late speed burst to get the win," said Performance Director Patrick McCarty. "She played things very smart tactically at the end of the race, and avoided being trapped after the final corner, so this win was well earned. It is fantastic to see the team take 2 out of 3 stages here at such an important event."
McCarty was complimentary of the first-ever women's stage race at the Tour of California.
"The race this week was the best one we have seen in North America so far. The level of competition, the support, the crowds and fans, the venues and the courses themselves were all as good as you could ask for. For it to be a new women's race in the US is even better."
After finding herself poorly positioned through the final corner and facing a long 800 metre drag race to the finish, Kirchmann used patience and tactical savvy to find the right wheel and catapult past the head of the race to claim victory by half a bike length. The 10-second time bonus for the win moved her up to second overall and secured her the Visit California Sprint classification jersey. The consistency of the entire team in supporting Kirchmann placed them third in the team classification, with Lex Albrecht finishing in ninth and Amy Charity 11th overall.
The women's field gave the crowd a thrilling look at the final circuit, where the men's peloton would close out their race after nearly 200 kilometres of racing through California's central countryside. The first stage was a hot, dusty loop beginning and ending in Sacramento, and the flattest and longest stage of the entire tour. The terrain guaranteed a hotly contested sprint, but three trips around the technical circuit loosened things up. Guillaume Boivin found himself in good position, sitting behind eventual winner Mark Cavendish's wheel after the final corner. The Quebec native held on for a fifth place finish.
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies press release
Trixi Worrack Claims Amgen Tour of CA Women’s Championship
With the leaders separated by only seconds after two days of racing, the first 3-day, 3-stage Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race empowered with SRAM came to a thrilling conclusion with Velocio-SRAM’s Trixi Worrack (Ger) posting a powerful ride to claim the title of the UCI-sanctioned event as the first-ever Amgen Tour of California women’s road race champion.
On a day when the overall race leader changed three times, Stage 3, presented by Visit California, featured a fast and flat six-corner circuit course around California’s State Capitol Building in downtown Sacramento. Designed as a sprinter’s delight, the race leaders had to push hard to defend their positions, as the 65 cyclists still standing battled for every available Sprint point during a 17 lap all-out race totaling 34 miles.
With only seconds separating overall times for the race leaders, every point awarded in today’s four Sprint opportunities made a difference as to who would end the day wearing the yellow overall winner’s jersey. Worrack, the 2013 German National Road Race Champion who placed third yesterday, went hard for the win and swept the first three of four Sprints. This incredible feat put her at a 6-second advantage leading to the final laps.
But with the biggest time bonuses of the day at the finish, it was still anyone’s race. Velocio-SRAM was on the front for the last lap to defend Worrack’s position, finally giving way to a bunch sprint across the line. To the backdrop of crowds roaring, Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies’ Leah Kirchmann (Can) claimed the stage for the second day in a row, but Worrack’s performance today paid off in yellow as she was crowned the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race empowered with SRAM champion.
“It was such a really nice race, especially with the organization,” Worrack. “It was a really nice [Amgen] Tour of California. The first two stages were really hard for us because it was at altitude and today was a crit, also really hard. But with lots of spectators, it was really good.”
Kirchmann ended second overall, as well as walking away with the Visit California Sprint Jersey.
“I’ve had an amazing time racing the Amgen Tour of California this week,” said Kirchmann. “It really means a lot for women’s cycling that the organizers have stepped it up and held an internationally sanctioned race with such a quality field. The venues were spectacular this week. The crowds were enthusiastic and big every day. And I just can’t wait to return to this race next year. It’s been awesome!”
Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air’s Lauren Komanski (USA), the only rider of the top three overall to podium every day, earned third place overall and Oakland, Calif. resident Katie Hall (USA), the race leader after day one, finished in fourth place for UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.
With no Queen of the Mountain (QOM) points today, the climbing jersey remains with Canada National Team’s Kirsti Lay (Can). Hannah Barnes (GBR), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, catapulted to second place for today’s stage and cemented the SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey, which she’s worn since day one. Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air will go home with the team honors.
Tour of California report
Results from the third and final stage in California
Stage 3: Sacramento Criterium, 54.7 km | |
1 Leah Kirchmann (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 1:16:04 |
2 Hannah Barnes (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
3 Erica Allar (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | |
4 Trixi Worrack (Velocio – SRAM) | |
5 Emily Collins (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
6 Lauren Komanski (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
7 Jessica Uebelhart (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | |
8 Alexis Ryan (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
9 Teresa Casas (Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team)) | |
10 Liza Rachetto (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | |
11 Barbara Guarischi (Velocio – SRAM) | |
12 Tina Pic (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | |
13 Flavia Oliveira (Ale Cipollini) | |
14 Alison Jackson (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
15 Amber Gaffney (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
16 Malgorzata Jasinska (Ale Cipollini) | |
17 Katharine Hall (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
18 Lex Albrecht (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | |
19 Allison Beveridge (National Team Canada) | |
20 Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
21 Valeria Romina Pintos (Xirayas De San Luis) | |
22 Kirsti Lay (National Team Canada) | |
23 Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Ale Cipollini) | |
24 Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
25 Joanne Hogan (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
26 Annie Ewart (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | |
27 Andrea Dvorak (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
28 Lindsay Bayer (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | |
29 Sara Headley (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
30 Rhae Shaw (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | |
31 Linda Melanie Villumsen (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
32 Amy Charity (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | |
33 Andreina Rivera (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | |
34 Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | |
35 Robin Farina (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | |
36 Alena Amialiusik (Velocio – SRAM) | |
37 Lisa Brennauer (Velocio – SRAM) | |
38 Christina Gokey-Smith (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | |
39 Maura Kinsella (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | |
40 Allie Dragoo (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
41 Jessica Cerra (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | |
42 Kathrin Hammes (Team Tibco – SVB) | |
43 Denise Ramsden (National Team Canada) | |
44 Rushlee Mae Buchanan (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
45 Laura Brown (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | |
46 Amanda Miller (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | |
47 Jessenia Meneses (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | |
48 Stephanie Roorda (National Team Canada) | |
49 Maria Carla Alvarez (Xirayas De San Luis) | |
50 Alison Tetrick (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | |
51 Elena Berlato (Ale Cipollini) | |
52 Kathryn Donovan (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | |
53 Marcela Prieto (Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team)) | |
54 Francesca Cauz (Ale Cipollini) | |
55 Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours) | |
56 Mary Zider (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | all s.t. |
57 Whitney Schultz (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | 0:13 |
58 Shoshauna Routley (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 0:16 |
59 Miranda Griffiths (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 0:18 |
60 Loren Rowney (Velocio – SRAM) | 0:32 |
61 Karol-Ann Canuel (Velocio – SRAM) | 0:47 |
DNF Dulce Pliego (Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team)) | |
DNF Dalia Muccioli (Ale Cipollini) | |
Final GC | |
1 Trixi Worrack (Velocio – SRAM) | 6:24:16 |
2 Leah Kirchmann (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | at 0:05 |
3 Lauren Komanski (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 0:06 |
4 Katharine Hall (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 0:16 |
5 Alena Amialiusik (Velocio – SRAM) | 0:26 |
6 Flavia Oliveira (Ale Cipollini) | 0:35 |
7 Alison Jackson (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 0:41 |
8 Lauren Stephens (Team Tibco – SVB) | 0:42 |
9 Lex Albrecht (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 0:54 |
10 Andrea Dvorak (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 1:03 |
11 Amy Charity (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 1:37 |
12 Kathrin Hammes (Team Tibco – SVB) | 1:37 |
13 Elena Berlato (Ale Cipollini) | 1:41 |
14 Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | 1:44 |
15 Hannah Barnes (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 1:46 |
16 Malgorzata Jasinska (Ale Cipollini) | 1:48 |
17 Joanne Hogan (Team Tibco – SVB) | 1:58 |
18 Kathryn Donovan (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | 1:58 |
19 Jessica Cerra (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 2:01 |
20 Kirsti Lay (National Team Canada) | 2:03 |
21 Linda Melanie Villumsen (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 2:04 |
22 Allie Dragoo (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 2:04 |
23 Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours) | 2:06 |
24 Mary Zider (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | 2:07 |
25 Robin Farina (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 2:08 |
26 Annie Ewart (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 2:19 |
27 Amanda Miller (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | 2:19 |
28 Christina Gokey-Smith (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | 2:23 |
29 Andreina Rivera (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | 2:27 |
30 Amber Gaffney (Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air) | 2:29 |
31 Karol-Ann Canuel (Velocio – SRAM) | 2:29 |
32 Denise Ramsden (National Team Canada) | 2:29 |
33 Marcela Prieto (Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team)) | 2:31 |
34 Erica Allar (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | 2:41 |
35 Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Tibco – SVB) | 2:41 |
36 Tina Pic (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | 2:43 |
37 Sara Headley (Team Tibco – SVB) | 2:45 |
38 Miranda Griffiths (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 2:51 |
39 Laura Brown (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 2:52 |
40 Alexis Ryan (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 2:54 |
41 Teresa Casas (Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team)) | 2:57 |
42 Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Ale Cipollini) | 2:57 |
43 Rushlee Buchanan (Unitedhealthcare Professional) | 2:58 |
44 Jessenia Meneses (Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team) | 2:59 |
45 Rhae Shaw (BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 3:11 |
46 Whitney Schultz (Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking) | 3:19 |
47 Lindsay Bayer (Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth) | 3:23 |
48 Maura Kinsella (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 3:30 |
49 Lisa Brennauer (Velocio – SRAM) | 3:34 |
50 Alison Tetrick (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) | 3:42 |
51 Allison Beveridge (National Team Canada) | 3:50 |
52 Jessica Uebelhart (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 4:10 |
53 Liza Rachetto (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 4:23 |
54 Shoshauna Routley (BMWw p/b Happy Tooth Dental) | 5:04 |
55 Barbara Guarischi (Velocio – SRAM) | 5:10 |
56 Loren Rowney (Velocio – SRAM) | 5:44 |
57 Francesca Cauz (Ale Cipollini) | 11:31 |
58 Valeria Romina Pintos (Xirayas De San Luis) | 12:02 |
59 Emily Collins (Team Tibco – SVB) | 12:47 |
60 Maria Carla Alvarez (Xirayas De San Luis) | 13:02 |
61 Stephanie Roorda (National Team Canada) | 13:15 |
Sprint GC | |
1 Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 34 pts |
2 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM | 33 |
3 Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 17 |
4 Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 12 |
5 Allison Beveridge (Can) National Team Canada | 10 |
6 Erica Allar (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking | 10 |
7 Katie Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 7 |
8 Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco – SVB | 6 |
9 Emily Collins (NZl) Team Tibco – SVB | 6 |
10 Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 5 |
11 Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini | 5 |
12 Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 5 |
13 Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM | 4 |
14 Alexis Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 4 |
15 Jessica Uebelhart (Sui) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental | 4 |
16 Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 3 |
17 Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours | 3 |
18 Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Velocio – SRAM | 3 |
19 Ana Teresa Casas Bonila (Mex) Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team) | 2 |
20 Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco – SVB | 1 |
21 Liza Rachetto (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental | 1 |
QOM | |
1 Kirsti Lay (Can) National Team Canada | 32 pts |
2 Malgorzata Jasinska (Ita) Ale Cipollini | 28 |
3 Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM | 26 |
4 Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours | 19 |
5 Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 16 |
6 Katie Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 14 |
7 Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 14 |
8 Allison Beveridge (Can) National Team Canada | 9 |
9 Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 8 |
10 Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 7 |
11 Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 7 |
12 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM | 6 |
13 Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 6 |
14 Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini | 6 |
15 Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental | 6 |
16 Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini | 5 |
17 Karol-Ann Canuel (Can) Velocio – SRAM | 4 |
18 Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco – SVB | 2 |
Young Rider | |
1 Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 6:26:02 |
2 Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | at 0:33 |
3 Andreina Rivera (Col) Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team | 0:41 |
4 Marcela Prieto (Mex) Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team) | 0:45 |
5 Alexis Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional | 1:08 |
6 Ana Teresa Casas Bonila (Mex) Uaem-G Pro Cycling Team -(Mexico National Team) | 1:11 |
7 Jessenia Meneses (Col) Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team | 1:13 |
8 Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 1:44 |
9 Allison Beveridge (Can) National Team Canada | 2:04 |
10 Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale Cipollini | 9:45 |
Team GC | |
1 Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air | 19:14:24 |
2 Velocio – SRAM | at 0:46 |
3 Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies | 1:23 |
4 Unitedhealthcare Professional | 2:19 |
5 Ale Cipollini | 2:28 |
6 Team Tibco – SVB | 2:41 |
7 Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking | 5:14 |
8 Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team | 5:34 |
9 Pepper Palace Pro Cycling | 5:49 |
10 BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental | 5:55 |
11 National Team Canada | 6:25 |
Return to Cycling 4 Women homepage | Return to Canadian Cyclist homepage | Back to Top |