A First for Women’s Cycling at the Amgen Tour of California
There’s been another coup for women’s cycling with the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. This year’s race will feature more professional women’s racing than any other US race of its kind over the two days of events. The world’s best female cyclists are being invited to tackle a circuit race surrounding the California Capitol in downtown Sacramento on May 11. The following day will see a field of nearly two dozen of the world’s top-ranked time triallists race in Folsom.
“Through the years, AEG has been proud to provide a worldwide platform to the top women cyclists in the world. We’ve staged a women’s criterium from 2008 to 2010, and a time trial since 2011,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “This year, we’re thrilled to announce not one but two days of professional women’s racing with the inclusion of a circuit race and a time trial – more opportunity for the stars of the sport to shine, and more reason for cycling fans to come out or tune in to follow the best racing event on U.S. soil.”
The 2014 Amgen Tour of California, held May 11-18, will begin in the state capitol of Sacramento with circuit races for both the men and women. The women’s race will start shortly after the men roll out from the start line at the steps of the Capitol building to kick-off the eight-stage race. Women from the top professional, national and composite teams will compete on the 1.25-mile circuit for the overall title as well as part of the $10,000 purse on offer. Cyclists not already selected for the next day’s time trial will have one last opportunity to gain a spot based on their finish.
“As a founding sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial, we’re proud to again join with AEG in showcasing some of cycle sport’s fastest and most celebrated athletes on the roads of California,” said Alex Wassmann, SRAM Road Sports.
About the Amgen Tour of California
The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. More information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
