Megan Guarnier wins Stage 1 of Amgen's women's race in South Lake Tahoe

One doesn't have to be a fan of professional cycling to enjoy the first two stages of the Amgen Breakwaway From Heart Disesase Women's Race Empowered with SRAM in South Lake Tahoe. People lined the streets Thursday as racers went on a trip around the lake with both the start and finish lines at Heavenly Mountain Resort, and the same is expected on Friday.

American Megan Guarnier won stage 1 with a time of 3 hours, 3 minutes and 48 seconds to make the 117 km (72.7 mile) trip. The former Bay Area resident is on the Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team out of Holland.

"It was an amazing team effort," Guarnier said of the race that had teammate Anna van der Breggen finish four seconds behind her. "My teammates had their work cut out for them. We're looking forward to tomorrow."

Guarnier, the 31-year-old US road champion, suffered a concussion and other injuries in crashes at Omloop Het van Hageland and Strade Bianche in March and just got back to racing.

Stage 1 Podium
1. Megan Guarnier (USA), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED) 3:03:48
2. Anna van der Breggen (NED), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED) 0:00:04
3. Arlenis Sierra (CUB), Astana Women’s Team (KAZ) 0:00:07

Stage 6 Jersey Winners
Amgen Race Leader Jersey – Megan Guarnier (USA), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
Breakaway from Cancer® / Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Lizzie Williams (AUS), Hagens Berman | Supermint (USA)
Lexus Queen of the Mountain (QOM) Jersey – Megan Guarnier (USA), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
Visit California Sprint Jersey – Megan Guarnier (USA), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
TAG Heuer Best Young Rider Jersey – Arlenis Sierra (CUB), Astana Women’s Team (KAZ)

Top 10

1 Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 3:03:48
2 Anna Van Der Breggen (Ned) Boels Dolmans Cyclingteam 0:00:04
3 Arlenis Sierra (Cub) Astana Women's Team 0:00:07
4 Ruth Winder (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling 0:00:10
5 Krista Doebel-Hickok (USA) Cylance Pro Cycling 0:00:10
6 Lauren Stephens (USA) Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank 0:00:14
7 Lex Albrecht (Can) Team Tibco-Silicon Valley Bank 0:00:17
8 Coryn Rivera (USA) Team Sunweb Women 0:00:20
9 Katie Hall (USA) UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling 0:00:20
10 Alena Amialiusik (Blr) Canyon SRAM Racing 0:00:22