Worrack wins women’s Tour of California

The overall race leader changed three times Sunday, with Velocio-SRAM’s Trixi Worrack’s winning the inaugural three-day, three-stage Amgen Tour of California women’s race.

Sixty-five cyclists battled in Sacramento in a 17 lap all-out race totaling 34 miles.

Trixi Worrack

Worrack, the 2013 German National Road Race Champion who placed third Saturday in South Lake Tahoe, swept the first three of four sprints. This put her at a 6-second advantage leading to the final laps. She finished the three days with a time of 6:24.16.

“It was such a really nice race, especially with the organization,” Worrack said in statement. “It was a really nice [Amgen] Tour of California. The first two stages were really hard for us because it was at altitude and today was a crit, also really hard. But with lots of spectators, it was really good.”

Optum’s Leah Kirchmann was second (6:24:21), and also claimed the stage for the second day in a row as well as the Visit California Sprint Jersey.

Kirchmann said, “It really means a lot for women’s cycling that the organizers have stepped it up and held an internationally sanctioned race with such a quality field. The venues were spectacular this week. The crowds were enthusiastic and big every day. And I just can’t wait to return to this race next year. It’s been awesome.”

Twenty16’s Lauren Komanski, the only rider of the top three overall to podium every day, earned third place overall – 6:24:22.

Katie Hall with UHC, the race leader after riding around Lake Tahoe on Friday, finished in fourth place.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report