CANYON//SRAM Racing: Barbara Guarischi fourth in the penultimate stage at Tour of California.

Image: ©velofocus

Barbara Guarischi was today fourth in the penultimate stage of the Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women's Tour of California Empowered by SRAM in Sacramento. The third stage was fought out in a bunch sprint with Coryn Rivera (SUN) winning ahead of Arlenis Sierra (ASA) and Giorgia Bronzini (WHT).

The 118km flat course was a change from the 1800m elevation gain the riders battled on stage two. Despite windy conditions and echelons causing constant splits in the peloton, today's stage from Elk Grove to Sacramento stayed true to its predicted bunch sprint. 

After Guarischi sprinted to fourth she said "There was enough wind today to create some small groups, but never in the right direction for the echelons to really work. We came into the final knowing it would be a sprint, it was a busy and at some points dangerous." 

"I was on the wheel of the winner coming into the sprint and I was feeling okay. At one point I had to slow, I lost some speed, and then needed to go again. It wasn't why I didn't win, I have to say that, but I would like to think that I would have been on the podium with a clear run," said Guarischi.

The final stage of the women's race tomorrow is a circuit race around downtown Sacramento, coinciding with the men's opening stage. With a tight battle on the general classification and many teams looking for their last chance of a stage win an exciting finale is expected. Racing starts at 12:30 local time and can be followed with #UCIWWT and #amgentocwomen.

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