The Amgen Tour of California rolls into tunnels, across bridges, through plains, desert, and over mountains.

McGrath would power to third. She is a rising star on the women’s scene.

SRAM once again leads the support for more women’s cycling as title sponsor of the Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, powered by SRAM, that took place in the midst of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) men’s race. For the third straight year, Olympians, World Champions, National Champions competed in what was a surprisingly difficult 19.6 mile (31.5k) time trial.

The all-star field, by invitation only, started mid-day to stiff crosswinds on a course that would challenge every aspect of a rider’s skills. The biggest obstacle comes at the very end where the final 5k tips upwards to the finish, with the final 3k averaging nearly 10%. Ultimately Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-lululemon) – SRAM RED and Zipp equipped – took the win ahead of Alison Powers (Now/Novartis for MS), followed by Kristin McGrath (Exergy-TWENTY16). The top 10 all rode SRAM RED.

ATOC Women’s TT Powered by SRAM – RESULTS:
1 Evelyn Stevens (USA) Specialized-lululemon 0:55:49
2 Alison Powers (USA) NOW and Novartis for MS 0:00:56
3 Kristin McGrath (USA) Exergy TWENTY16 0:01:24
4 Jade Wilcoxson (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:03:02
5 Mara Abbott (USA) Exergy TWENTY16 0:03:09
6 Alison Tetrick (USA) Exergy TWENTY16 0:03:26
7 Brianna Walle (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies 0:03:52
8 Julie Dibens (GBr) Trek 0:03:59
9 Tayler Wiles (USA) Specialized-lululemon 0:04:01
10 Robin Farina (USA) NOW and Novartis for MS 0:04:10
11 Jasmin Glaesser (Can) Team TIBCO 0:04:56
12 Katie Compton (USA) Trek Cyclocross Collective 0:05:00
13 Lauren Stephens (USA) Team TIBCO 0:06:05
14 Rhae Shaw (Can) Vanderkitten 0:06:44
DNF Amber Neben (USA) Pasta Zara-Cogeas

He claims his 100th victory on SRAM RED ©Tim de Waele

The King of Sprints, Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Pro cycling Team) won a 3^rd stage at the Giro d’Italia and at the same time took his 100^th victory! Everybody was expecting him to win today and to reach this impressive number… he crossed the finish line with class and total control far ahead of the other sprinters. The plan was perfectly executed by him and his teammates, Gert Steegmans (BEL), Gianluca Brambilla (ITA), Iljo Keisse (BEL), Jérôme Pineau (FRA), Julien Vermote (BEL), Matteo Trentin (ITA), Michal Golas (POL) and Serge Pauwels (NED).

What’s next now for the 28-years-old rider? More wins, taking the green jersey at the Tour de France, beating new records,… Mark doesn’t have any limit and doesn’t think too much about specific records to beat. He told Cyclist magazine (June 2013) “once you put a number on something it gives you a point to stop and I don’t want to limit or cap what I do.” At SRAM we love this kind of spirit. It corresponds to our product development philosophy. There is no limit to innovation.

Since he joined the Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Pro cycling Team and started riding SRAM RED in January 2013, Cavendish already scored nine individual wins, a TTT victory at Tirreno-Adriatico and the overall classification at the Tour of Qatar. The season is far from being over and with the Tour de France starting in one month and a half; the Manx Missile has the chance to beat his own record established in 2009 when he scored 24 victories in a season.

Time for Celebration! ©Brakethrough Media

Mark Cavendish and his lead-out, Gert Steegmans hugging each other – ©Brakethrough Media

Peter Sagan pops a one handed wheelie as part of SRAM’s upcoming “Peter Sagan Wheelie Clinic” segment to feature here on theroaddiaries as well as NBC’s broadcast coverage of the Amgen Tour of California later this week.

Despite a reverse of direction, now traveling north to south, SRAM has found its way back to America’s Greatest Stage Race, the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC); starting with SRAM sponsored teams and athletes, SRAM Neutral Race Support, The ATOC Women’s Time Trail Powered by SRAM, the Lifestyle Festival, SRAM Ride Experience, plus the continuing NBC Sports daily video feature, the “Tour Insider Powered by SRAM.”

SRAM’s teams – riding SRAM RED – include riders with a great shot at the General Classification, including 2010 winner Michael Rogers (Saxo-Tinkoff), along with teammate, and US National Road Champion, Timmy Duggan. Easily the revelation of 2012′s Tour, Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling), where he won five stages, will once again hunt stage wins and/or wheelie opportunities. The ATOC stage win record holder said the 2013 parcours will limit his opportunities because of all the climbs, but he would be satisfied with only a single stage win. Neo-pro Chad Hagga (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) and Bontrager’s Gavin Mannion will lead SRAM’s youth movement into their first major tour.

SRAM has once again lead the support for more women’s cycling as title sponsor of the Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race Powered by SRAM, to take place in the midst of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) men’s race. For the third straight year, Olympians, World Champions, National Champions, as well as some of the best female athletes ever to take to two wheels, will compete in the 19.6 mile (31.5k) time trial that takes place Friday, May 17.

SRAM Neutral Race Support: For the fourth year running SRAM’s Neutral Race (NRS) support crew will keep the professionals rolling over ATOC’s 800 miles. Four fully equipped Volvo XC-70’s Polestars, two Aprilia motos, and 13 technicians will be at the front, back, and middle of the peloton with SRAM equipped Specialized frames, and Zipp wheels for eight days of neutral race service.

ATOC Lifestyle Expo: SRAM, Specialized®, and Zipp will also travel everyday along with the ATOC Lifestyle Festival showcasing the latest from all four brands, including SRAM’s all new RED 22 and Force 22 grouspets as well as hydraulic road brake options.

SRAM shoots video for the Tour Insider Powered by SRAM to air on NBC during the Amgen Tour of California with current National Road Champion Timmy Duggan (Saxo-Tinkoff)

“Tour Insider Powered by SRAM” will be daily video updates featured on the the live NBC Sports ATOC daily broadcasts, as well as the www.amgentourofcalifornia.com website, with extended versions on www.theroaddiaires.com, with a daily look at the latest bike technologies as well the teams and riders of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California. This year will feature a wheelie clinic by Peter Sagan, a bike review by Timmy Duggan, and a technology feature on SRAM’s new road hydraulic brakes.

SRAM Teams:
Omega Pharma-Quick-Step – SRAM RED, Zipp wheels, bars, stems, seat posts, Quarq power meters
Cannondale Pro Cycling – SRAM RED
Saxo-Tinkoff – SRAM RED, Zipp wheels, Zipp bars, seatposs, seat posts
UnitedHealthcare – SRAM RED
Optum ProCycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies – SRAM RED
Bontrager – SRAM RED, Quarq power meters
Champion System – SRAM RED

SRAM’s Ride Experience mobile bike fleet will be at various locations offering consumers and bicycle dealers opportunities to ride SRAM’s latest componentry, including Force 22, RED 22, and SRAM’s new RED 22 hydraulic road rim and hydraulic road disc options. Check the linked schedule for locations and times.