Amgen Tour of California 2019 Official Program

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA | OFFICIAL 2019 PROGRAM | 67 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S RACE EMPOWERED WITH SRAM | WOMEN’S STAGE 1 STAGE 1 WOMEN THURSDAY, MAY 16 | VENTURA DISTANCE 60 Miles | STAGE ELEVATION 4,885’ TERRAIN Rolling V entura made such an impression last year that theAmgenTour of Cal- ifornia Women’s Race empowered with SRAM makes its first appearance in Southern California at this beachside par- adise. The course is an out-and-back from Ventura through the immaculate Ojai Val- ley to the scenic coastal town of Carpin- teria before returning to Ventura. Stage 1 will set the bar for the women’s peloton. Over the route’s 60 miles are six QOMs for a total of almost 5,000 feet of climbing on the day. The last obstacle comes three miles from the finish with a .8-mile climb to the Serra Cross, an ascent that averag- es 7.2% and will almost certainly propel a lone leader to victory. Starting from the County Fairgrounds, the race darts through the heart of downtown Ventura and Westside Ventura’s “The Av- enue” on its way into the Topatopa Moun- tains. As the peloton continues to climb into the Ojai Valley, it begins to skirt the many fingers of Lake Casitas. A few short but steep climbs later and the riders will be looking forward to a Carpinteria loop that briefly takes them into the seaside town before re-entering the Topatopa Mountains. Coming back around Lake Casitas, the peloton makes a final sprint into Ventura. This time, however, they are detoured up the 1-mile long climb past Serra Cross Park. Indeed, this climb will be challenging, but with great endurance comes great reward – and an immense advantage to win the stage. Presented by: PHOTO: CHRIS GRAYTHEN/GETTY IMAGES