Roster Announced for Women's International Time Trial Challenge at ATOC
5/13/11 The world’s best female cyclists will be competing in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women's International Time Trial Challenge presented by Specialized and SRAM in Solvang, California, on Friday, May 20. Held in conjunction with Stage 6 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the race will feature a 13-person field comprised of world champions and Olympic medalists battling it out on the same course that their male counterparts will also be competing on later in the day. The women will be racing for a $10,000 prize pool.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. PT on Friday, May 20, the Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge will traverse the exact 15-mile course as the men participating in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, with the women leaving at one-minute intervals just before the beginning of the professional men’s time trial at 12:30 p.m. PST.
“We have assembled a tremendous field for this race, and we are looking forward to showcasing the incredible athleticism of these world-class competitors,” said Andrew Messick. “It is an honor to have such elite cyclists participate in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge, and we anticipate a great day of cycling.”
The 2011 Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge roster includes the very best in international and domestic female cyclists, including:
- Kristin Armstrong (USA): Olympic Gold Medal Winner Time Trial (Beijing), 2008; World Time Trial Champion 2006, 2009; US National Time Trial Champion 2006, 2007; US National Road Champion 2004, 2006
- Charlotte Becker (Germany): German National Road Champion 2010; Winner GP Ciudad de Valladolid 2010
- Emilia Fahlin (Sweden): Swedish National Time Trial Champion 2009, 2010; Swedish National Road Champion 2008; 2nd Place, European Time Trial Championship 2010
- Janel Holcomb (USA): 3rd Place, SRAM Tour of the Gila Time Trial 2011
- Heather Jackson (USA): 3rd Place, US National Track Cycling, Omnium 2009; 2nd Place, Oceanside 70.3 Triathlon 2011; 3rd Place, US National Track Cycling, 3K Pursuit 2009; Holds numerous Ironman 70.3 bike course records
- Amanda Miller (USA): Stage Winner Merco Classic 2011; Stage Winner Tour of New Zealand 2011; 2nd Place San Dimas ITT 2011
- Amber Neben (USA): World Time Trial Champion 2008; Stage Winner ITT and Overall, San Dimas 2011; Stage Winner ITT and Overall, Redlands 2011; 2nd Place, US National Time Trial 2010; Winner Giro d’Italia Time Trial 2009
- Jessica Phillips (USA): US National Time Trial Champion 2009; 7th SRAM Tour of the Gila 2011; 14th World Championships, Time Trial 2009; US National Road Champion 2002
- Emma Pooley (Great Britain): World Time Trial Champion 2010; UK National Time Trial Champion 2010; UK National Road Champion 2010; UK National Time Trial Champion 2009; Olympic Silver Medal Winner (Beijing) 2008
- Rhae Shaw (Canada): Winner, Madera SR, Stage 2 Time Trial 2011; 2nd Place, SRAM Tour of the Gila Time Trial 2011; 2nd Place, Sea Otter Classic Time Trial 2011; 3rd Place, Hawaii 70.3 Triathlon (bike course record) 2009
- Alison Starnes (USA): Winner, Merco Cycling Classic, General Classification 2011; Winner, Merco Cycling Classic, Time Trial 2011; Winner, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Time Trial (leaders jersey) 2010; 2nd Place, Cascade Cycling Classic Time Trial 2010
- Evelyn Stevens (USA): US National Time Trial Champion 2010; 2nd Place Redlands ITT 2011; 2nd Place, US National Time Trial 2009
- Tara Whitten (Canada): World Champion Omnium Track Cycling 2010; World Champion Points Classification Track Cycling 2010; Commonwealth Games Time Trial Champion 2010
Offering a preview to the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games, the race will be featured on the May 20 VERSUS broadcast of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California. The race is presented by Specialized and SRAM, who both have a long history of supporting women’s cycling.