Hall wins Tour of California Women's Race opener at Heavenly Mountain Resort

Katie Hall (UnitedHealthcare) out-kicked Alena Amialiusik (Velocio-SRAM) to win the opening stage of the Amgen Tour of California Women's Race Friday at Lake Tahoe. Hall, a resident of Oakland, California, classified her win as the biggest of her career.

"A UCI race in Northern California is really awesome," Hall said. "My teammates were all over everything. I got to just relax and keep my legs for the end, and they were good today."

The cold temperatures and snow that fell the night before the race reminded many of the ill-fated Tahoe leg of the 2011 men's race. By the time the riders showed up at the start, temperatures had climbed into the 40s and the previous night's snow was barely in sight.

Crowds lined the downhill start as the race dropped riders out of Heavenly Resort into South Lake Tahoe. Wet roads made for slow going at first, but it was not long before the sun emerged and temperatures climbed into the mid-50s.

The peloton stayed together until the first QOM at Emerald Bay 25 km into the race. Sarah Storey (Pearl Izumi-Sports Tours International) and Christie Lay (Canadian National Team) attacked up the final segment of the QOM and established a 15 second gap. Lay took the QOM points and rejoined the field after the QOM kite, leaving Storey to continue on her own.

"[Lay] dropped back and I felt really strong so I decided to stay there," Storey said. "Eventually I was nearly brought back, but another Canadian rider joined me, and we built out lead up to two minutes at one point."

Allison Beveridge (Canadian National Team) joined forces with Storey, and the pair proceeded to pad their time gap. Beveridge took the sprint points in Tahoe City, and the duo kept plowing ahead through the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

As Beveridge and Storey started south toward the finish, the field took up the chase and proceeded to reel in the leaders. The break's gap evaporated as riders climbed toward the second QOM at Spooner lake.

"It was a longer day than I thought, but we knew on this course anything could go, and potentially stay," Beveridge said. "It probably wasn't quite a big enough group do do that, but to get the sprint jersey and have representation in a break is a good way to start off the race."

Storey took the second QOM of the day, and the field absorbed the leaders shortly after summiting Spooner Lake. The peloton flew down toward the finish in South Lake Tahoe, and a handful of attacks were quickly brought back.

The final ascent cut through a steep residential neighborhood complete with 15-20 percent grades and Swiss style ski chalets. The climb whittled the lead group down to eight riders, and then four. The final selection included Hall, Amialiusik, and Twenty16-ShoAir's Andrea Dvorak and Lauren Komanski.

Dvorak and Komanski traded attacks, but it was Amialiusik who made the decisive move. Amialiusik attacked through the final steep grade and only Hall could respond.

"I was sitting on her wheel through the final flat section," Hall said. "It goes up a little with 400 meters and I attacked there. I got a little gap and I just hung it to the end."

Hall took the win and put on the yellow leader's jersey, while Storey holds the climbers jersey and Beveridge leads the sprint competition. Hanna Barnes (UnitedHealthcare) currently has the jersey for best young rider.

Full Results

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#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team3:10:49
2Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio - SRAM0:00:02
3Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 2 - Cell 2
4Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio - SRAM0:00:04
5Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini0:00:11
6Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:00:14
7Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 6 - Cell 2
8Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:18
9Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco - SVB0:00:22
10Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:27
11Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:00:29
12Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:36
13Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:41
14Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 13 - Cell 2
15Amy Charity (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 14 - Cell 2
16Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Karol-Ann Canuel Karol-Ann (Can) Velocio - SRAM0:00:46
18Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini0:00:48
19Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco - SVB0:00:55
20Mary Zider (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:00:56
21Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale Cipollini0:00:59
23Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale CipolliniRow 22 - Cell 2
24Alexis M Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale CipolliniRow 24 - Cell 2
26Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco - SVBRow 25 - Cell 2
27Kathryn Donovan (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:01:09
28Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:01:12
29Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports ToursRow 28 - Cell 2
30Tina Pic (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 29 - Cell 2
31Robin Farina (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 30 - Cell 2
32Christina Gokey-Smith (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 31 - Cell 2
33Dulce Pliego (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:16
34Andreina Rivera (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 33 - Cell 2
35Amanda Miller (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 34 - Cell 2
36Rushlee Mae Buchanan (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 35 - Cell 2
37Amber Gaffney (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:01:18
38Marcela Prieto (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:20
39Denise Ramsden (Can) Canadian National Team0:01:22
40Valeria Romina Pintos (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 39 - Cell 2
41Gabriella Shaw (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:01:33
42Joanne Marie Kiesanowski (NZl) Team Tibco - SVB0:01:34
43Erica Allar (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine CookingRow 42 - Cell 2
44Sara Headley (USA) Team Tibco - SVBRow 43 - Cell 2
45Jessica Cerra (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 44 - Cell 2
46Jessenia Meneses (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:01:37
47Laura Brown (Can) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:01:41
48Whitney Schultz (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:01:44
49Lindsay Bayer (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 48 - Cell 2
50Teresa Casas (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:46
51Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Bra) Ale CipolliniRow 50 - Cell 2
52Alison Tetrick (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 51 - Cell 2
53Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 52 - Cell 2
54Rhae-Christie Shaw (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:02:00
55Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Velocio - SRAM0:02:08
56Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 55 - Cell 2
57Anna Turvey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:02:14
58Emily Collins (NZl) Team Tibco - SVB0:02:17
59Maria Carla Alvarez (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 58 - Cell 2
60Stephanie Roorda (Can) Canadian National Team0:02:36
61Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 60 - Cell 2
62Jessica Uebelhart (Swi) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:02:39
63Loren Rowney (Aus) Velocio - SRAMRow 62 - Cell 2
64Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Velocio - SRAMRow 63 - Cell 2
65Shoshauna Routley (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 64 - Cell 2
66Liza Rachetto (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 65 - Cell 2
67Bethany Hayward (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:11:33
68Cristina Irma Greve (Arg) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 67 - Cell 2
69Annie Foreman-Mackey (Can) Canadian National Team0:12:55
DNSJessica Cutler (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine CookingRow 69 - Cell 2
DNFTalia Ayelen Aguirre (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 70 - Cell 2
DNFMariela Analia Delgado (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 71 - Cell 2
DNFAntonella Lilia Leonardi (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 72 - Cell 2
DNFJulie Kuliecza (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 73 - Cell 2
DNFAmy Phillips (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 74 - Cell 2
DNFJulia Sanchez Parma (Arg) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 75 - Cell 2
DNFBelen Garza (Mex) Mexican National TeamRow 76 - Cell 2
DNFLauren Creamer (Irl) Pearl Izumi Sports ToursRow 77 - Cell 2
DNFKatie Curtis (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports ToursRow 78 - Cell 2
DNFMorgan Brown (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine CookingRow 79 - Cell 2
DNFDebora Noelia Haedo (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 80 - Cell 2
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Sprint classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team5pts
2Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours3Row 1 - Cell 3
3Alexis M Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Mountain 1- Emerald Bay, km 25
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team10pts
2Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours9Row 1 - Cell 3
3Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies7Row 2 - Cell 3
4Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini6Row 3 - Cell 3
5Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air5Row 4 - Cell 3
6Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini4Row 5 - Cell 3
7Karol-Ann Canuel Karol-Ann (Can) Velocio - SRAM2Row 6 - Cell 3
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Mountain 2 - Spooner Lake, km. 95.2
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours10pts
2Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team9Row 1 - Cell 3
3Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies7Row 2 - Cell 3
4Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team6Row 3 - Cell 3
5Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio - SRAM5Row 4 - Cell 3
6Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini4Row 5 - Cell 3
7Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air2Row 6 - Cell 3
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Mountain 3 - South Lake Tahoe, km. 199.5
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team10pts
2Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio - SRAM9Row 1 - Cell 3
3Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air7Row 2 - Cell 3
4Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio - SRAM6Row 3 - Cell 3
5Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini5Row 4 - Cell 3
6Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air4Row 5 - Cell 3
7Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air2Row 6 - Cell 3
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Teams classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air9:32:57
2Velocio - SRAM0:00:22
3Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:47
4Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:56
5Ale Cipollini0:01:28
6Team Tibco - SVB0:01:46
7ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:03:04
8Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:03:09
9Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth0:03:10
10BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:03:23
11Mexican National Team0:03:52
12Canadian National Team0:03:56
13Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:04:29
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General classification after stage 1
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team3:10:49
2Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio - SRAM0:00:02
3Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 2 - Cell 2
4Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio - SRAM0:00:04
5Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini0:00:11
6Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:00:14
7Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 6 - Cell 2
8Leah Kirchmann (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:18
9Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco - SVB0:00:22
10Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:27
11Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:00:29
12Linda Melanie Villumsen (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:36
13Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:41
14Miranda Griffiths (Aus) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 13 - Cell 2
15Amy Charity (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 14 - Cell 2
16Rocio Parrado Guarnizo (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 15 - Cell 2
17Karol-Ann Canuel Karol-Ann (Can) Velocio - SRAM0:00:46
18Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini0:00:48
19Joanne Hogan (Aus) Team Tibco - SVB0:00:55
20Mary Zider (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:00:56
21Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 20 - Cell 2
22Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale Cipollini0:00:59
23Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale CipolliniRow 22 - Cell 2
24Alexis M Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 23 - Cell 2
25Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale CipolliniRow 24 - Cell 2
26Kathrin Hammes (Ger) Team Tibco - SVBRow 25 - Cell 2
27Kathryn Donovan (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:01:09
28Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:01:12
29Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports ToursRow 28 - Cell 2
30Tina Pic (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 29 - Cell 2
31Robin Farina (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 30 - Cell 2
32Christina Gokey-Smith (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 31 - Cell 2
33Dulce Pliego (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:16
34Andreina Rivera (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 33 - Cell 2
35Amanda Miller (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 34 - Cell 2
36Rushlee Mae Buchanan (NZl) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 35 - Cell 2
37Amber Gaffney (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air0:01:18
38Marcela Prieto (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:20
39Denise Ramsden (Can) Canadian National Team0:01:22
40Valeria Romina Pintos (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 39 - Cell 2
41Gabriella Shaw (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:01:33
42Joanne Marie Kiesanowski (NZl) Team Tibco - SVB0:01:34
43Erica Allar (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine CookingRow 42 - Cell 2
44Sara Headley (USA) Team Tibco - SVBRow 43 - Cell 2
45Jessica Cerra (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-AirRow 44 - Cell 2
46Jessenia Meneses (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:01:37
47Laura Brown (Can) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:01:41
48Whitney Schultz (USA) Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:01:44
49Lindsay Bayer (USA) Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy ToothRow 48 - Cell 2
50Teresa Casas (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:46
51Uenia Fernandes Da Souza (Bra) Ale CipolliniRow 50 - Cell 2
52Alison Tetrick (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 51 - Cell 2
53Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 52 - Cell 2
54Rhae-Christie Shaw (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:02:00
55Lisa Brennauer (Ger) Velocio - SRAM0:02:08
56Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 55 - Cell 2
57Anna Turvey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:02:14
58Emily Collins (NZl) Team Tibco - SVB0:02:17
59Maria Carla Alvarez (Arg) Xirayas de San LuisRow 58 - Cell 2
60Stephanie Roorda (Can) Canadian National Team0:02:36
61Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National TeamRow 60 - Cell 2
62Jessica Uebelhart (Swi) BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:02:39
63Loren Rowney (Aus) Velocio - SRAMRow 62 - Cell 2
64Barbara Guarischi (Ita) Velocio - SRAMRow 63 - Cell 2
65Shoshauna Routley (Can) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 64 - Cell 2
66Liza Rachetto (USA) BMW p/b Happy Tooth DentalRow 65 - Cell 2
67Bethany Hayward (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:11:33
68Cristina Irma Greve (Arg) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power TeamRow 67 - Cell 2
69Annie Foreman-Mackey (Can) Canadian National Team0:12:55
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Mountains classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours19pts
2Kirsti Lay (Can) Canadian National Team16Row 1 - Cell 3
3Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Velocio - SRAM14Row 2 - Cell 3
4Lex Albrecht (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies14Row 3 - Cell 3
5Katharine Hall (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team10Row 4 - Cell 3
6Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team9Row 5 - Cell 3
7Malgorzata Jasinska (Pol) Ale Cipollini8Row 6 - Cell 3
8Lauren Komanski (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air7Row 7 - Cell 3
9Allie Dragoo (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air7Row 8 - Cell 3
10Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio - SRAM6Row 9 - Cell 3
11Elena Berlato (Ita) Ale Cipollini6Row 10 - Cell 3
12Flavia Oliveira (Bra) Ale Cipollini5Row 11 - Cell 3
13Alison Jackson (Can) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air4Row 12 - Cell 3
14Andrea Dvorak (USA) Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air2Row 13 - Cell 3
15Karol-Ann Canuel Karol-Ann (Can) Velocio - SRAM2Row 14 - Cell 3
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Sprint classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResultHeader Cell - Column 3
1Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team5pts
2Sarah Storey (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours3Row 1 - Cell 3
3Alexis M Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team1Row 2 - Cell 3
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Young rider classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Hannah Barnes (GBr) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team3:11:30
2Dalia Muccioli (Ita) Ale Cipollini0:00:18
3Francesca Cauz (Ita) Ale CipolliniRow 2 - Cell 2
4Alexis M Ryan (USA) Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling TeamRow 3 - Cell 2
5Annie Ewart (Can) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:31
6Andreina Rivera (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:00:35
7Marcela Prieto (Mex) Mexican National Team0:00:39
8Gabriella Shaw (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:00:52
9Jessenia Meneses (Col) ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:00:56
10Teresa Casas (Mex) Mexican National Team0:01:05
11Maura Kinsella (USA) Optum p/b Kelly Benefit StrategiesRow 10 - Cell 2
12Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Can) Canadian National Team0:01:27
13Allison Beveridge (Can) Canadian National Team0:01:55
14Bethany Hayward (GBr) Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:10:52
15Annie Foreman-Mackey (Can) Canadian National Team0:12:14
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Teams classification
#Rider Name (Country) TeamResult
1Twenty 16 p/b Sho-Air9:32:57
2Velocio - SRAM0:00:22
3Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team0:00:47
4Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies0:00:56
5Ale Cipollini0:01:28
6Team Tibco - SVB0:01:46
7ITAU Shimano Ladies Power Team0:03:04
8Colavita/Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking0:03:09
9Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth0:03:10
10BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental0:03:23
11Mexican National Team0:03:52
12Canadian National Team0:03:56
13Pearl Izumi Sports Tours0:04:29

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