The 2014 Amgen Tour of California will feature more professional women’s racing and will host two days of action-packed competition. Invitations are now being extended to the world’s best women cyclists to convene an elite international roster of competitors to assemble in downtown Sacramento May 11 to compete in a circuit race surrounding the California Capitol. The following day, a field of nearly two dozen of the world’s top-ranked time trialists will have the opportunity to race against the clock during a time trial in Folsom.
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. Shortly after the men roll out from the start line at the steps of the Capitol building to kick-off the eight-stage race, the women will take to the street to show off the power and technique that they are known for throughout the world. By invitation and application, women from the top professional, national and composite teams will compete along a four-corner,1.25-mile circuit course surrounding the Capitol for the overall title as well as part of the $10,000 purse being offered by race organizers. 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.
The very next day, Monday, May 12, the Women’s Time Trial will be held in the gold rush town of Folsom, preceding the men’s time trial over the same yet-to-be-announced course. This invitation-only race (plus the top three finishers from the day before not already qualified for the time trial) also includes a prize purse of $10,000.
“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 women’s races will both be streamed live on the Amgen Tour of California Tour Tracker app, and online at amgentourofcalifornia.com.
Photo © Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
