With her teammates coordinating to defend her at every turn, Katie Hall of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team won the overall at the women’s Amgen Tour of California. The three-stage race concluded May 19 in Sacramento.

Hall first seized the yellow jersey in Stage 2, a brutal race marked by steep climbs through the mountains of South Lake Tahoe. She attacked on the next-to-last climb, Daggett Pass, and finished with a decisive 25-second lead.

Her fellow UHC riders, including Lauren Hall, Lizzy Banks, Leah Thomas, and Diana Penuela, pulled together to hold her overall lead during the next day’s 70-kilometer race through downtown Sacramento. Hall increased her lead to 29 seconds in the final GC, finishing in 7:51:11. She praised the team in remarks after the race: “One thing that’s true on our team is that we all get behind one rider. I’ve been on this team for five years now and [have] always been racing for another GC rider. I’ve learned a lot racing in support of really good GC riders. Now that it’s my chance I’m really well prepared for it, and I’m grateful for this kind of development pipeline we have within our team.”

Two other riders sponsored by Maxxis also made the overall top ten. Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank’s Brodie Chapman earned fifth place, and UHC’s Thomas, who played a vital role in Hall’s defense, took eighth place.

Photos: Jonathan Devich

Maxxis congratulates Katie Hall on this well-earned victory, and thanks Brodie Chapman, Leah Thomas and all of its riders for their outstanding performances.