May 09, 2015 (Lake Tahoe, California) – Canada’s Leah Kirchmann nailed her biggest win this year taking the 80km Stage 2 at the Amgen Tour of California for Women in perfect conditions at South Lake Tahoe, underlining the consistency and depth of the Canadian pro women here.

Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air finished second and is the new race leader while Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio-SRAM moved into second overall as she took the final podium spot today.

Marking Kirchmann’s continual rise on the larger cycling stage today’s win was somewhat of a calling card. “I know tomorrow is going to be “game on” with this very competitive field because there are just a few seconds that will determine the podium tomorrow, but I think the cycling world has seen that we Canadian women are a force to be reckoned with,” commented Kirchmann yesterday.

The 80km 2-lap course took the Pros around South Lake Tahoe and with an elevation gain of 3,300 ft and two QOM climbs it lived up to its hype as a climber’s race with the power riders delivering as Komanski took over the yellow jersey, Kirchmann gained the Sprinter’s jersey from fellow Canuck Allison Beveridge (Team Canada) and the Canada National Team’s Kirsti Lay took over the QOM competition lead.

“It feels really awesome to have this [QOM] jersey,” said Lay. “Yesterday we went out to be aggressive and active, and it turned out we were sitting high in the classification for the Queen of the Mountain. So, today it was definitely a target for the team to put us in contention to take the jersey. It was a good day for us and it will be nice to wear this all day tomorrow as well.”

When the day began there was no safe bet that Kirchmann and Optum would take this race as UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team controlled the race for much of the 2×40-km course. Teammates Kirchmann and Lex Abrecht planned to work together with their strong team to get in good positions for the final ascent and kick, not knowing how it would  play out or who’s legs would feel the best after Ski Run Blvd’s grade took the fight out of many riders.

But Kirchmann, clad in Canadian colors as the 2014 Road, ITT and Criterium champion, attacked on the final climb and gapped her rivals to take the win. “I was feeling  good before the race but I didn’t know how much energy exactly to save for this so with no power meter well, I just try to measure and save what I  have and the adrenaline takes over after that extra boost – it worked so well today and I’m so happy for my team,” commented the winner.

Other notable Canadian performances include Allison Jackson (Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air), who showed once again why she is nicknamed “Action Jackson” as she attacked the Ski Run Blvd climb alone gaining a 14-second advantage after the first lap but faded after the descent as Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental successfully attacked and was riding solo after about 50km into the race. Jackson remains solidly in 8th at 37 seconds from a podium spot.

Beveridge, who wore the Sprinter’s jersey yesterday, put on a another fine performance today taking second in the sprint but Kirchmann was too strong today. “I know it’s going to be hard to regain the jersey from Leah tomorrow, with her GC and possibility for points but I’ll give it a shot. I’m happy that the jersey is staying on Canadian shoulders,” said Beveridge.

Canada’s Pro women ended up wearing two jerseys today on the podium and have three riders in the top 10 in the GC with Kirchmann 4th, Jackson 8th and Abrecht 9th. Two Canucks will not be on the final stage’s start line as Annie Foreman Mackey finished outside the time limit and Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin did not finish due to a mechanical.

“I think tomorrow is going to be ‘game on’ from the very start,” said Kirchmann. “The GC is very close, so I think it’s going to be a really tough day tomorrow.”

Results

1. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 1:57:33
2. Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air
3. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM
4. Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 00:06
5. Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco – SVB 00:10
6. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini 00:14
7. Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM
8. Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 00:17
9. Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 00:19
10. Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco – SVB 00:28
11. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini 00:39
12. Kathryn Donovan (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
13. Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air
14. Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini 00:43
15. Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 00:46
16. Karol-Ann Canuel (Can) Velocio – SRAM
17. Robin Farina (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental
18. Amy Charity (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
19. Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco – SVB 00:53
20. Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team
21. Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale Cipollini
22. Amanda Miller (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
23. Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 00:57
24. Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team
25. Denise Ramsden (Can) Canadian National Team
26. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Team Tibco – SVB
27. Marcela Prieto (Mex) Mexican National Team 01:01
28. Erica Allar (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
29. Mary Zider (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
30. Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Bra) Ale Cipollini
31. Rhae-Christie Shaw (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental
32. Andreina Rivera (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team
33. Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team
34. Amber Gaffney (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air
35. Sara Headley (USA) Team Tibco – SVB
36. Christina Gokey-Smith (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
37. Teresa Casas (Mex) Mexican National Team
38. Laura Brown (Can) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team
39. Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team 01:11
40. Jessenia Meneses (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team 01:12
41. Whitney Schultz (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
42. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Velocio – SRAM 01:16
43. Linda Villumsen (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 01:18
44. Dulce Pliego (Mex) Mexican National Team
45. Jessica Uebelhart (Swi) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 01:21
46. Tina Pic (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
47. Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 01:28
48. Lindsay Bayer (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth 01:29
49. Rushlee Mae Buchanan (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 01:32
50. Liza Rachetto (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 01:34
51. Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
52. Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 01:42
53. Alexis Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 01:46
54. Alison Tetrick (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
55. Shoshauna Routley (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 01:59
56. Loren Rowney (Aus) Velocio – SRAM 02:23
57. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Velocio – SRAM
58. Jessica Cerra (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 00:17
59. Emily Collins (NZl) Team Tibco – SVB 10:20
60. Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale Cipollini 10:22
61. Stephanie Roorda (Can) Canadian National Team 10:29
62. Valeria Romina Pintos (Arg) Xirayas de San Luis 10:30
63. Maria Carla Alvarez (Arg) Xirayas de San Luis 10:35
OTL Anna Turvey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 12:54
OTL Gabriella Shaw (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 13:23
OTL Bethany Hayward (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 13:39
OTL Annie Foreman-Mackey (Can) Canadian National Team 13:54
DNF Cristina Irma Greve (Arg) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team
DNF Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Can) Canadian National Team

GC after Stage 2

1. Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 5:08:18
2. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM 00:03
3. Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 00:10
4. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 00:12
5. Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM 00:20
6. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini 00:29
7. Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco – SVB 00:36
8. Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 00:37
9. Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 00:48
10. Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 00:57
11. Amy Charity (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 01:31
12. Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco – SVB
13. Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini 01:35
14. Karol-Ann Canuel (Can) Velocio – SRAM 01:36
15. Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team 01:38
16. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini 01:42
17. Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 01:46
18. Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco – SVB 01:52
19. Kathryn Donovan (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
20. Jessica Cerra (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 01:55
21. Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale Cipollini 01:56
22. Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team 01:57
23. Linda Villumsen (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 01:58
24. Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air
25. Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 02:00
26. Mary Zider (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking 02:01
27. Robin Farina (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 02:02
28. Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 02:13
29. Amanda Miller (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
30. Christina Gokey-Smith (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth 02:17
31. Andreina Rivera (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team 02:21
32. Denise Ramsden (Can) Canadian National Team 02:23
33. Amber Gaffney (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air
34. Marcela Prieto (Mex) Mexican National Team 02:25
35. Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 02:27
36. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) Team Tibco – SVB 02:35
37. Tina Pic (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth 02:37
38. Dulce Pliego (Mex) Mexican National Team 02:38
39. Erica Allar (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking 02:39
40. Sara Headley (USA) Team Tibco – SVB
41. Laura Brown (Can) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 02:46
42. Alexis Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 02:48
43. Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Bra) Ale Cipollini 02:51
44. Teresa Casas (Mex) Mexican National Team
45. Rushlee Mae Buchanan (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 02:52
46. Jessenia Meneses (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team 02:53
47. Whitney Schultz (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking 03:00
48. Rhae-Christie Shaw (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 03:05
49. Lindsay Bayer (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth 03:17
50. Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 03:24
51. Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Velocio – SRAM 03:28
52. Alison Tetrick (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 03:36
53. Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team 03:46
54. Jessica Uebelhart (Swi) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 04:04
55. Liza Rachetto (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 04:17
56. Shoshauna Routley (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 04:42
57. Loren Rowney (Aus) Velocio – SRAM 05:06
58. Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Velocio – SRAM
59. Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale Cipollini 11:25
60. Valeria Romina Pintos (Arg) Xirayas de San Luis 11:56
61. Emily Collins (NZl) Team Tibco – SVB 12:41
62. Maria Carla Alvarez (Arg) Xirayas de San Luis 12:56
63. Stephanie Roorda (Can) Canadian National Team 13:09

Points Classification
1. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 15
2. Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 12
3. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM 11
4. Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team 8
5. Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 7
6. Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco – SVB 6
7. Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 5
8. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini 5
9. Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM 4
10. Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 3
11. Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 3
12. Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 2
13. Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco – SVB 1
14. Alexis Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 1

Mountain Classification
1. Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team 32
2. Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini 28
3. Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio – SRAM 26
4. Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours 19
5. Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 16
6. Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 14
7. Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 14
8. Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team 9
9. Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 8
10. Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 7
11. Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air 7
12. Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio – SRAM 6
13. Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 6
14. Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini 6
15. Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 6
16. Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini 5
17. Karol-Ann Canuel (Can) Velocio – SRAM 4
18. Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco – SVB 2

Team Classification
# Rider Name (Country) Team Result
1. TWENTY 15:26:12
2. Velocio – SRAM 0:00:46
3. Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:01:23
4. Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team 0:02:19
5. Ale Cipollini 0:02:28
6. Team Tibco – SVB 0:02:41
7. Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking 0:05:14
8. ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team 0:05:34
9. Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth 0:05:49
10. BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental 0:05:55
11. Canadian National Team 0:06:25
12. Mexican National Team 0:06:36