News – Hannah Barnes in California

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Hannah Barnes wears the young riders jersey in the Women’s Tour of California as her teammate wins the stage  whilst Sarah Storey lights up the stage

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News – Hannah Barnes in California

Katie Hall Takes Victory and Yellow Jersey for UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team in Amgen Tour of California Opener

Katie Hall and the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team won the opening stage of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race, taking the leader’s jersey in the process. The 75-mile road race took in over 5,300 feet of climbing on a hilly route through the Sierra Nevada mountains. With two Queen of the Mountain competitions available on the day, the racing started aggressively. A two-rider breakaway went clear early in the race and looked set to disrupt the proceeding, but the peloton slowly reeled the escapees in on the final 15-mile climb.

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Best Young Rider Jersey, Hannah Barnes with Katie Hall

With just over 4 miles of racing left, a dangerous eight-rider breakaway went clear from the field, with the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team represented by Hannah Barnes. Fresh off her stage win at Tour of the Gila, the opposing teams weren’t willing to let Barnes come to the line first. This played to the UnitedHealthcare Blue Train’s advantage, as the climbers came to the fore on the steep pitch to the finish line.

The lead group was reduced quickly by the increasing speeds, but Katie Hall stayed with the leaders on the way up to Heavenly Mountain Resort. With 300 meters of racing to the finish, Hall put in a blistering attack that shattered the small group and propelled her across the line for victory.

Rachel Heal was delighted with the opening stage win, “This is a fantastic way to start the tour! We knew going into the stage that Katie had the legs to contest the win, but to pull it off against such a quality international field, shows real tactical savvy as well as great form.”

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Hall showed her great form earlier in the year with a stage win at the the Tour Femenino de San Luis, then again during the Tour of the Gila last week where she finished 2nd on the final stage as well as in the overall classification, beating a huge pool of talented climbers in the process. Heal continued, “The whole team worked together perfectly, putting riders at the front when it mattered, and setting Katie up for the biggest win of her career.”

In addition to Hall’s victory, UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team rider Linda Villumsen finished 12th, with teammate Hannah Barnes in 13th. As the fastest Under-23 rider in the field, Barnes will wear the White Best Young Rider Jersey for tomorrow’s stage.

Sarah Storey Makes her mark
British Women’s team Pearl Izumi is riding the Tour of California and not unusual for Sarah Storey as the icon in para-sports was the day’s main attacker. She escaped with Kirsti Lay of Canada after about 15 miles of racing and whilst Lay soon was back in the peloton, Sarah Storey pressed on alone. Several riders attempted to bridge up to the lone leader, but only Allison Beveridge (Canada) could make the move.

The duo rode together for much of the race, staying away over the day’s last QOM, Spooner Lake but the move was over with 14 miles to go and eight riders went clear. That too was brought back but after 5,000 metres of climbing, only ten riders remained in contention for the victory.

Stage 2 of the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race is a 50-mile circuit on the shores of South Lake Tahoe. Once again starting and finishing at the Heavenly Mountain Resort, the crowd-friendly race will give spectators the chance to see the race up to three times on each 25-mile lap. Queen of the Mountain points will be available on the switchbacks of Apache Avenue, before a steep finish at the base of Heavenly Ski Area.

Stage 1

13. Hannah Barnes, UnitedHealthcare
29. Sarah Storey, Pearl Izumi Sports Tours
41. Gabby Shaw, Pearl Izumi Sports Tours
57. Anna Turvey, Pearl Izumi Sports Tours
67. Bethany Hayward, Pearl Izumi Sports Tours

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