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Tour of California: Men’s and women’s first stages

When Mark Cavendish (Great Britain/Omega Pharma-QuickStep) sprinted across the finish line in Sacramento, Calif., on Sunday, he wasn't sure who had won. "I've won a sprint by 10 cm before, and I've lost a sprint by 3 [cm], and both of them I knew the outcome. That was the first time in my career I really had no idea who'd won. I'm super happy," said Cavendish after taking the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California. The Manx Missile beat John Degenkolb (Germany/Giant-Shimano) by a tire rim. Moreno Hofland (Netherland/Belkin Pro Cycling) came in third.

Tour of California jerseys stage 1
May 12, 2014
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Tour of California jerseys stage 1
Four top cyclists after Stage 1 of the Tour of California. From the left: Charles Planet in the most courageous rider jersey, Mark Cavendish with the overall leader jersey, Tao Geoghegan Hart in the best young rider jersey and Canada’s Will Routley in the king of the mountain jersey. Photo credit: Omega Pharma-Quickstep

When Mark Cavendish (Great Britain/Omega Pharma-QuickStep) sprinted across the finish line in Sacramento, Calif., on Sunday, he wasn’t sure who had won.

“I’ve won a sprint by 10 cm before, and I’ve lost a sprint by 3 [cm], and both of them I knew the outcome. That was the first time in my career I really had no idea who’d won. I’m super happy,” said Cavendish after taking the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California. The Manx Missile beat John Degenkolb (Germany/Giant-Shimano) by a tire rim. Moreno Hofland (Netherland/Belkin Pro Cycling) came in third.

The stage began in the state’s capitol, and then headed north and east before circling back to Sacramento, a total of 193 km. The day’s breakaway featured Canadian Will Routley (Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Tom Leezer (Netherlands/Belkin), Isaac Bolivar (Colombia/UnitedHealthcare), Charles Planet (France/Novo Nordisk), Matt Cooke (U.S.A./Jamis-Hagens Berman) and Tao Geoghegan Hart (Great Britain/Bissell Development Team). Routley secured the stage’s climbing points and will have the KOM jersey until at least the third stage.

Another Canadian was quite active in Stage 1. While Peter Sagan’s (Slovakia) Cannondale squad wasn’t able to keep Cavendish, Degenkolb and Hofland in check, the leader of the Italy-based team came in fourth and his teammate, Canada’s Guillaume Boivin, came in sixth.

Ryan Anderson of Edmonton, Routley’s teammate, finished in 55th place.

Women’s Circuit Race

Shortly after the men’s race departed, the 108 professional women began a race of there own.  Carmen Small (U.S.A./Specialized-lululemon) won the final sprint. Coryn Rivera (U.S.A./UnitedHealthcare) took second place and Brianna Walle (U.S.A./Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies) rounded out the all-American podium.

The race also featured many top Canadian riders. Gillian Carleton (Vanderkitten) was the top Canuck in 10th. Anika Todd (Team Tibco) placed  22nd and teammate Jasmin Glaesser was 33rd. Colavita/Fine Cooking’s Laura Brown was 36th and Diane Moug (Folsom Bike/Cervélo) was 56th. Two of Metromint Cycling’s riders are Canadians: Mary-Ellen Ash and Julie Bellerose. For former finished 53rd and the later was DNF. Amelie Bruneau and Emily Flynn of Jetcycling also did not finish the race. Finally, Canada had a national team at the race featuring Stephanie Roorda (26th), Annie Foreman-Mackey (34th), Allison Beveridge (55th), Catherine Desserault (57th), Ariane Bonhomme (DNF) and Kinley Gibson (DNF).

On Monday, the women will compete in a time trial.