Editors’ Picks: Amgen Tour of California podiums

Here are our rapid-fire predictions for the top-three overall at the Amgen Tour of California men’s and women’s races. The VeloNews editorial staff will make predictions for major races throughout the season.

Spencer Powlison, news director Men’s picks: 1. Rohan Dennis 2. Lachlan Morton 3. Benat Inxtausti Women’s picks: 1. Megan Guarnier 2. Emma Johansson 3. Marianne Vos

Form is really an unknown quantity for Dennis, but I think he’ll be able to hang in there on Tuesday’s queen stage, as well as the deceptively difficult stage 4 to Laguna Seca. I bet Morton will win one of those climbing days, riding well after his Tour of the Gila win, but I don’t think he can keep up in the TT, where Dennis should win the race. Inxtausti has had a pretty good spring so far, notably in the time trials, so I think he’ll sneak onto the podium.

Guarnier and Boels – Dolmans are hard to bet against. The TTT adds a curious dynamic to the race, and I think the world’s best team will convincingly demonstrate its supremacy. Otherwise, the women’s race will be largely decided on time bonuses or small margins of victory. With that in mind, I like Johansson and Vos — plus, their teams are well-equipped for the Folsom team test.

Chris Case, managing editor Men’s picks: 1. Lawson Craddock 2. Lachlan Morton 3. Rohan Dennis Women’s picks: 1. Kristin Armstrong 2. Lauren Stephens 3. Jasmin Glaesser

With a ninth overall in Pais Vasco, Craddock has proven that he has what it takes to climb with the world’s best. This race is about two stages: Gibraltar Road and the TT. Guys like Rohan Dennis and Laurens Ten Dam haven’t shown they’re on quite the form that Craddock is.

Armstrong is on form; she proved that at the Gila. In a race likely to come down to the TTT, she has to be the favorite.

Andrew Hood, European correspondant Men’s picks: 1. Lawson Craddock 2. Rohan Dennis 3. Pete Kennaugh Women’s picks: 1. Megan Guarnier 2. Evelyn Stevens 3. Marianne Vos

On the men’s side, I am going with Lawson Craddock. The shorter TT and more climbing will help his GC chances, and after a strong and steady European spring, he’s clearly poised for a major breakthrough. With third in 2014, this will be his year to win it all to confirm his place as America’s next stage race race.

For the women, after her strong European campaign, Megan Guarnier is in pole position to …

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