April 14/11 13:25 pm - Tour of California Introduces Women's Time Trial

Posted by Editoress on 04/14/11
 

Tour of California organizer AEG has announced details of the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women's International Time Trial Challenge presented by Specialized and SRAM, which will take place in Solvang during Stage 6 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California on Friday, May 20th.  Using the same course as the Stage 6 men's individual time trial in Solvang, the women's event will be a 12-person invitation, showcasing some of the best women athletes in the world racing for a $10,000 prize pool.

It should be noted that the Tour of California event is non-UCI sanctioned, and conflicts directly with the UCI-sanctioned Grand Prix Cycliste de Gatineau women's road race.

The Amgen Tour of California Women's International Time Trial Challenge will start at 11:30 a.m. PST, with the women leaving at one-minute intervals immediately before the beginning of the professional men's time trial at 12:30 p.m. PST.  The women will traverse the exact 15-mile course as the professional men.

"Beginning with the women's criterium race during the 2008 edition of the Amgen Tour of California, AEG has always been a supporter of women's cycling," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports.  "We are pleased to be able to celebrate the tremendous athleticism of these world-class competitors by providing an international stage on which to showcase their ability."

The best women's time trialists in the world have been invited and are expected to attend [Note: no riders are confirmed at this time], including reigning Olympic gold medalist and former world champion Kristin Armstrong, current world champion Emma Pooley, former world champion Amber Neben, former world champion Judith Arndt, and current US Champion Evelyn Stevens.

"I am honored to be one of a handful of cyclists invited to this world class event," said former world champion Kristin Armstrong.  "This is a great opportunity to showcase women's cycling in America's premier race.  I can't think of a better opportunity to bring exposure and recognition to women's cycling in front of a worldwide audience."