Final kilometer told the story during Stage 1 of SLT Amgen race

"The way they're dropping off you'd think the Donner Party was back," were the words of the announcer as he reported on the racers heading up Keller Road during the final kilometer of Friday's Amgen race around Lake Tahoe. "There are bodies everywhere," he joked, commenting on the final uphill portion of the race just before the finish line.

After 73.5 miles, the last .6 mile separated the group of women who had stayed in a close pack as they spent three hours racing around the lake.

People were scattered along the course from South Lake Tahoe to the North Shore, all catching a quick glimpse of the elite group of 84 female cyclists from 14 teams as they rode by.

Stage 1 was won by Katie Hall of Northern California who rides for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team. Second place finisher was Alena Amialiusik from Germany who races for Velocio-SRAM, and American Lauren Komanski from the Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air team was third.

The Jersey Winners for Day 1 are:

· Amgen Leader Jersey – Katie Hall (USA), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
· Lexus Queen of the Mountain (QOM) Jersey – Sarah Storey (GBR), Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International (GBR)
· Visit California Sprint Jersey – Allison Beveridge (CAN), Canada National Team (CAN)
· SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey – Hannah Barnes (GBR), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)

If you missed Friday's racing action there are lots of good viewing spots throughout South Lake Tahoe for Saturday's Stage 2 race. The festival in front of Heavenly Mountain Resort's California Base Lodge has food, drink and vendors to visit.

Saturday, May 9th
9:00 am Festival opens
10:30 am Pro Women start
11:20-11:40 am Pro Women pass through start/finish line
12:30 pm Pro Women finish
1:30 pm Festival closes