Tour of California: Women's Races 2014: Time Trial Results

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Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare) happy to take the win today (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Alison Power (UnitedHealthcare Women) on her way to the win (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare) stays tucked in tight on the way to her win (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Laura Brown (Colavita) puts in a strong fifth place ride today (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Carmen Small (Specialized-Lululemon) riding in her National Champ kit (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Jasmin Glaesser (TIBCO) grits her teeth during the TT (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Taylor Wiles (Specialized-Lululemon) on the way to third place for the day (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

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Brianna Walle (Optum) battles for second place (Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

Third time's a charm for Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) who won the Tour of California women's time trial on Monday, after placing second for the two previous years. Powers won the day's 20.1km race in 27:20, 21 seconds faster than Brianna Walle (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) and an additional four seconds in front of to Tayler Wiles (Specialized-lululemon).

"I'm so excited because it's an honor to come to this time trial and to be on the big stage with the men's race," Powers said. "It's an honor to be invited, race new courses and the money was great. This was my third time here, and I was second the two other times, so three's a charm for me. It's a really good feeling."

Twenty women were invited to compete in the Tour of California Women's Time Trial. Race organizers hosted a women's time trial in conjunction with its men's stage race three previous years. Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong won the race in both 2011 and 2012, and Evelyn Stevens won the race last year.

Armstrong has since retired from racing, but Stevens returned to try and defend her title against other strong contenders Powers, Alison Tetrick (Twenty16 p/b Breakaway from Cancer) and Tour of the Gila time trial winner Laura Brown (Colavita-Fine Cooking).

The 20.1km rolling course suited Powers's ability with shorter climbs and long technical descents. "I saw the course and new that I liked it," she said. "The long downhills were good for me. They were long a fast and I like that because I'm a little bigger than the other girls and can carry my speed. I liked that it had corners, as opposed to an out-and-back."

Powers is pleased with her performance as it bodes well for the upcoming US road and time trial championships being held in May 24-26 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. "I won time trial nationals in 2008, but it's been along time, and I hope to win," Powers said. "This race was a big confidence booster for me. It's helpful to race with the women in the time trial here to see how I stack up against them. Chattanooga is a different course, a longer course, but this win helps my confidence going into nationals."

Results

#	Rider Name (Country) Team	Result
1	Alison Powers (USA) United Health Care Pro Cycling Team	0:27:21
2	Brianna Walle (USA) OPTUM PRO CYCLING P/B KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES	0:00:21
3	Tayler Wiles (USA) Specialized - lululemon	0:00:25
4	Evelyn Stevens (USA) Team Specialized - lululemon	0:00:26
5	Laura Brown (CAN) Colivita Fine Cooking Women's Pro Cycling Team	0:00:40
6	Jasmin Glaesser (CAN) Team TIBCO	0:00:43
7	Carmen Small (USA) Specialized - lululemon	0:01:01
8	Alison Tetrick (USA) TWENTY16 p/b Breakaway From Cancer	0:01:05
9	Annie Ewart (CAN) OPTUM PRO CYCLING P/B KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES	0:01:19
10	Robin Farina (USA) SPY GIANT RIDE p/b MRI	0:01:27
11	Anika Todd (CAN) Team TIBCO	0:01:30
12	Amber Gaffney (USA) TWENTY16 p/b Breakaway From Cancer	0:01:32
13	Rushlee Buchanan (NZL) United Health Care Pro Cycling Team	0:01:34
14	Mara Abbott (USA) United Health Care Pro Cycling Team	0:01:36
15	Gillian Carleton (CAN) Vanderkitten	0:01:52
16	Kathryn Bertine (SKN) Saint Kitts and Nevis National Team	0:02:01
17	Jessica Cutler (USA) FCS/Zngine p/b Mr. Restore	0:02:09
18	Hong Yo Liang (CHN) China Chongming - Giant - Champion System	0:03:36
19	Greta Neimanas (USA) US Paracycling Team	0:03:48
20	Courteney Lowe (NZL) OPTUM PRO CYCLING P/B KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES	0:03:56

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Kirsten Frattini

Kirsten Frattini is an honours graduate of Kinesiology and Health Science from York University in Toronto, Canada. She has been involved in bike racing from the grassroots level to professional cycling's WorldTour. She has worked in both print and digital publishing, and started with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. Moving into a Production Editor's role in 2014, she produces and publishes international race coverage for all cycling disciplines, edits news and writes features. Currently the Women's Editor at Cyclingnews, Kirsten coordinates global coverage of races, news, features and podcasts about women's professional cycling.