Tour of California adds women's criterium

To increase the stage one excitement of the Tour of California on February 18, organizers are adding a women's criterium which will use portions of the men's stage one finishing circuit in Santa Rosa.

125 women on teams of no more than eight are expected to compete for US$10,000 in prizes before the finish of the men's race. The race is the latest addition to the NRC calendar and in fact will open the women's NRC season. Laura Van Gilder (Cheerwine Women's Professional Cycling Team) will be on hand to begin the defense of her overall 2007 NRC title.