Amgen Tour of California 2019 Official Program

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA | OFFICIAL 2019 PROGRAM | 27 2019 T he countdown to Tokyo is on. With just more than a year before the USA Cycling team marches into the Opening Ceremony of the 2020 Olympic Games, the coming months are crucial for both preparation and in the athlete selec- tion process. Riders can secure a spot on the Olympic team based on performance – a win or string of top finishes at major races – or through nomination by a selection com- mittee, which utilizes a selection criterion based on results, potential for success and ability to contribute to a team effort. The goal is clear – for the U.S. team to win more cycling medals in Tokyo than at any Olympics prior. The roads of California are the perfect place for the U.S. riders to train for the Olympic stage. At the Amgen Tour of California, they will line up alongside the world’s top athletes, including Olympic medalists, and world and national cham- pions. They will also navigate a challeng- ing course that will help them prepare for key Olympic qualifying races in the com- ing months. A team of seven U.S. riders will comprise the USA Cycling team competing in the men’s race. Also, watch for USA Cycling National Team members Tejay van Gar- deren (Aspen, Colo.) and Taylor Phinney (Boulder, Colo.) on the line with EF Educa- tion First Pro Cycling. Many of the country’s top women will also be racing throughout the week. Among them are reigning road national champi- on Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif.), on the line with Team Sunweb; Alexis Ryan (Ventura, Calif.), racing for CANYON//SRAM; Emma White (Duanesberg, N.Y.), riding for Ral- ly UHC Cycling; and Chloe Dygert Owen (Brownsburg, Ind.) with Sho-Air TWEN- TY20. Later this summer, a women’s na- tional team of collegiate all-stars is racing at the Colorado Classic. All of these riders will soon be vying for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team. And next year, their focus will be fixed on the podium. USA Cycling: Racing Towards Tokyo PHOTO: CASEY B. GIBSON/USA CYCLING