Johansson wins first stage of Friends Life Women’s Tour of Britain, Kirchmann top Canadian

Orica-GreenEdge’s Emma Johansson kicked clear of the sprinting peloton to win the first stage of the inaugural Friends Life Women’s Tour of Britain. The world champion Marianne Vos of Rabobank-Liv finished second while UnitedHealthcare’s Hannah Barnes came in third.

The 93.8-km stage, run between Oundle and Northampton, was the first of five days of racing featuring the best female cyclists in the world.

The day was marked by attacking as riders competed for points and time bonuses at the intermediate sprint and mountain checkpoints. Johansson won the sprinter’s jersey while Sharon Laws of UnitedHealthcare took away the queen of the mountain shirt.

Canada’s Leah Kirchmann finished 12th for her Optum presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies squad while her Canadian teammate Denise Ramsden finished 23rd. The other Canadian in the race, Specialized-lululemon’s Karol-Ann Canuel came across the line 60th and finished fifth in the climber’s classification.

Stage 1 of England's women's tour, a milestone for female cyclists. http://t.co/PQp018tJeY pic.twitter.com/6efvN3K9Kh

— Optum Pro Cycling (@OPTUMpbKBS) May 8, 2014

Good start for the the women at st. 1 of the #WT2014. @lauren1717 11th, @L_Kirch 12th in an uphill bunch sprint. Photos and words to come.

— Optum Pro Cycling (@OPTUMpbKBS) May 7, 2014