photo credits @ Tour of California
Megan Guarnier (Boels Dolmans) claimed the first stage of this year’s Women’s Tour of California today, after out-sprinting Emma Johansson (Wiggle-High5) and Kristin Armstrong (Twenty 16-Ridebiker) on the uphill finish in South Lake Tahoe.
Race Highlights
Great Britain’s Sarah Storey (Podium Ambition), was eventually reined in by the peloton during the closing 5 kilometers, after being out front alone for more than 2 hours (90 Kilometers) with a maximum advantage of a little over 4 minutes.
From there, teams took turns driving the head of the peloton during the closing few kilometers, with Boels – Dolmans ultimately coming to the fore in an effort to set up Guarnier during the final uphill run-in to the finish.
“My team did an awesome job bringing it back,” said Stevens. “I didn’t get in the best position, and I was swarmed coming into that [last] corner. I attacked and then I saw Megan coming, and she attacked.”
Top 20 Finishers
1 Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 3:05:09
2 Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High5 0:00:04
3 Kristin Armstrong (USA) Twenty16 – Ridebiker 0:00:10
4 Evelyn Stevens (USA) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team
5 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team
6 Rossella Ratto (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:00:16
7 Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare Women
8 Shara Gillow (Aus) Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team 0:00:18
9 Tayler Wiles (USA) USA National Team
10 Katie Hall (USA) UnitedHealthcare Women
11 Lauren Stephens (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank
12 Scotti Lechuga (USA) Hagens Berman / Supermint Pro Cycling Team
13 Danielle King (GBr) Wiggle High5
14 Mara Abbott (USA) Wiggle High5
15 Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
16 Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) Weber Shimano Ladies Power 0:00:24
17 Lex Albrecht (Can) Bepink 0:00:28
18 Brianna Walle (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank 0:00:31
19 Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty16 – Ridebiker
20 Eri Yonamine (Jpn) Hagens Berman / Supermint Pro Cycling Team
General classification after stage 1
1 Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 3:04:57
2 Emma Johansson (Swe) Wiggle High5 0:00:10
3 Kristin Armstrong (USA) Twenty16 – Ridebiker 0:00:18
4 Evelyn Stevens (USA) Boels Dolmans Cycling Team 0:00:22
5 Marianne Vos (Ned) Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team
6 Rossella Ratto (Ita) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:00:28
7 Coryn Rivera (USA) UnitedHealthcare Women
8 Shara Gillow (Aus) Rabo Liv Women Cycling Team 0:00:30
9 Tayler Wiles (USA) USA National Team
10 Katie Hall (USA) UnitedHealthcare Women
11 Lauren Stephens (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank
12 Scotti Lechuga (USA) Hagens Berman / Supermint Pro Cycling Team
13 Danielle King (GBr) Wiggle High5
14 Mara Abbott (USA) Wiggle High5
15 Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling
16 Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) Weber Shimano Ladies Power 0:00:36
17 Lex Albrecht (Can) Bepink 0:00:40
18 Brianna Walle (USA) Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank 0:00:43
19 Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty16 – Ridebiker
20 Eri Yonamine (Jpn) Hagens Berman / Supermint Pro Cycling Team
