The world’s best female cyclists will be competing in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge presented by Specialized and SRAM in Solvang, California, on Friday, May 20.

Held in conjunction with Stage 6 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the race will feature a 13-person field comprised of world champions and Olympic medalists battling it out on the same course that their male counterparts will also be competing on later in the day.  The women will be racing for a $10,000 prize pool.

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Beginning at 11:30 a.m. PT on Friday, May 20, the Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge will traverse the exact 15-mile course as the men participating in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, with the women leaving at one-minute intervals just before the beginning of the professional men’s time trial at 12:30 p.m. PST.

“We have assembled a tremendous field for this race, and we are looking forward to showcasing the incredible athleticism of these world-class competitors,” said Andrew Messick.  “It is an honor to have such elite cyclists participate in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge, and we anticipate a great day of cycling.”

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California Women’s International Time Trial Challenge roster includes the very best in international and domestic female cyclists, including:

Kristin Armstrong (USA): Olympic Gold Medal Winner – Time Trial (Beijing), 2008; World Time Trial Champion – 2006, 2009; US National Time Trial Champion – 2006, 2007; US National Road Champion – 2004, 2006

Charlotte Becker (Germany): German National Road Champion – 2010; Winner GP Ciudad de Valladolid – 2010

Emilia Fahlin (Sweden): Swedish National Time Trial Champion – 2009, 2010; Swedish National Road Champion – 2008; 2nd Place, European Time Trial Championship – 2010

Janel Holcomb (USA): 3rd Place, SRAM Tour of the Gila Time Trial – 2011

Heather Jackson (USA): 3rd Place, US National Track Cycling, Omnium – 2009; 2nd Place, Oceanside 70.3 Triathlon – 2011; 3rd Place, US National Track Cycling, 3K Pursuit – 2009; Holds numerous Ironman 70.3 bike course records

Amanda Miller (USA): Stage Winner Merco Classic – 2011; Stage Winner Tour of New Zealand – 2011; 2nd Place San Dimas ITT – 2011

Amber Neben (USA): World Time Trial Champion – 2008; Stage Winner ITT and Overall, San Dimas – 2011; Stage Winner ITT and Overall, Redlands – 2011; 2nd Place, US National Time Trial – 2010; Winner Giro d’Italia Time Trial – 2009

Jessica Phillips (USA): US National Time Trial Champion – 2009; 7th SRAM Tour of the Gila – 2011; 14th World Championships, Time Trial – 2009; US National Road Champion – 2002

Emma Pooley (Great Britain): World Time Trial Champion – 2010; UK National Time Trial Champion – 2010; UK National Road Champion – 2010; UK National Time Trial Champion – 2009; Olympic Silver Medal Winner (Beijing) – 2008

Rhae Shaw (Canada): Winner, Madera SR, Stage 2 Time Trial – 2011; 2nd Place, SRAM Tour of the Gila Time Trial – 2011; 2nd Place, Sea Otter Classic Time Trial – 2011; 3rd Place, Hawaii 70.3 Triathlon (bike course record) – 2009

Alison Starnes (USA): Winner, Merco Cycling Classic, General Classification – 2011; Winner, Merco Cycling Classic, Time Trial – 2011; Winner, Nature Valley Grand Prix, Time Trial (leaders jersey) – 2010; 2nd Place, Cascade Cycling Classic Time Trial – 2010

Evelyn Stevens (USA): US National Time Trial Champion – 2010; 2nd Place Redlands ITT – 2011; 2nd Place, US National Time Trial – 2009

Tara Whitten (Canada): World Champion Omnium Track Cycling– 2010; World Champion Points Classification Track Cycling– 2010; Commonwealth Games Time Trial Champion – 2010

Offering a preview to the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games, the race will be featured on the May 20 VERSUS broadcast of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California.  The race is presented by Specialized and SRAM, who both have a long history of supporting women’s cycling.