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TRIXI WORRACK UNLEASHES MASTERFUL RIDE TO CLAIM AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
excerpts for Amgen Women’s Tour of California
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.
FINAL RESULTS:
2015 WOMEN’S RACE GENERAL CLASSIFICATION 1. Trixi Worrack (GER), Velocio-SRAM (6h24’16”) 2. Leah Kirchmann (CAN), Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (:5) 3. Lauren Komanski (USA), Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air (:6)
Best team: Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air
2015 WOMEN’S RACE JERSEY WINNERS Amgen Race Leader Jersey: Trixi Worrack (GER), Velocio-SRAM Visit California Sprint Jersey: Leah Kirchmann (CAN), Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies Lexus Queen of the Mountain Jersey: Kirsti Lay (CAN), Canada National Team SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey: Hannah Barnes (GBR), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
STAGE 3 PODIUM 1. Leah Kirchmann (CAN), Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 2. Hannah Barnes (GBR), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team 3. Erica Allar (USA), Colavita|Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
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