Anna van der Breggen wins Amgen women's race; Katie Hall second

On Sunday the four-stage Amgen Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Women's Race empowered with SRAM concluded with Boels-Dolmans’ 2016 Olympic Games road race gold medalist Anna van der Breggen (NED) taking the overall win. Van der Breggen rode into the final race day one second behind UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling’s Katie Hall (Saratoga, Calif.) and earned valuable Sprint points during today’s Sacramento circuit race to take the overall race victory by one second. Today’s result also keeps Van der Breggen at the top of the UCI world rankings.

“For me it was not a nice day, I mean I’m not a sprinter and I had to sprint for those seconds. And it was scary…of course the UnitedHealthcare team was really up for me not taking meter seconds and they tried hard to avoid it, so I’m really happy my team was with me and they gave me the confidence that I could sprint for seconds, and I got the seconds,” said Van der Breggen. “It was a really tough victory – we really fought for it. I needed my team so badly here this day … this is really one [a victory] from the team, and that makes this victory really special.”

There were two important chances today for riders to earn time bonuses – the first three across the line at the intermediate Sprint during the 15th of 20 laps around the California Capitol Building, where Van der Breggen picked up time, as well as at the finish line.

24-year old Cuban cyclist Arlenis Sierra (Astana Women's Team) placed third for the race overall after claiming a podium spot and the Visit California Sprint Jersey yesterday. Sierra will go home with the prestigious green jersey as well as the TAG Heuer Best Young Rider Jersey.

For today’s stage, Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling’s sprinter Giorgia Bronzini (ITA) barreled over the finish line first today to close out the 2017 race after placing third in yesterday’s stage. Team Sunweb’s Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif.), who claimed the Stage 3 win in Sacramento yesterday, took second today (6th overall). Cylance Pro Cycling’s Kirsten Wild (NED) rounded out the stage podium in third place.

“It’s really important because America is the biggest crowd ever, and I’m really proud to be here,” said Bronzini of her stage win. “I was a bit more confident today…I eventually found the left side which was also covered by the wind, and that gave me the right moment to go over. The sprint is just when you think it’s too late so you need to go by instinct, and instinct gave me a reason today.”

At the conclusion of the 4-day, 256.6-mile race, Hall’s United Healthcare Pro Cycling Team took top team honors for their spirited ride supporting her on the podium this week.

Presented by Amgen, Stage 4 included 20 blazing fast circuit laps around the State Capitol Building. Today’s Breakaway from Cancer® / Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Most Courageous Rider Jersey went to United Healthcare Pro Cycling’s Rushlee Buchanan (NZL), who led the field in the final three laps to protect teammate, Hall who will take home the Lexus Queen of the Mountain Jersey.

2017 Final Standings
1. 10:47:33 Anna van der Breggen (NED), Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team
2. + :01 Katie Hall (USA), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
3. + :31 Arlenis Sierra (CUB), Astana Women’s Team
4. + :34 Kristabel Doebel-Hickok (USA), Cylance Pro Cycling
5. + :38 Ruth Winder (USA), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team