Opening stage in Sacramento; final stage at pharmaceutical sponsor’s hometown
The day after the USA Pro Challenge outlined its 2014 route, the organiser of the Amgen Tour of California, AEG Sports, has released details of the stage towns for next year’s event. The eight-day race will start in the state capital of Sacramento, and will finish in Thousand Oaks, the hometown of name sponsor, pharmaceutical company Amgen.
“We strive to raise the bar each year to present an Amgen Tour of California that not only continues to attract and challenge the world’s top cyclists, but also fittingly features and promotes California’s unique sights and striking scenery,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We’re confident our worldwide audience will enjoy everything next year’s race has to offer – from epic climbs to rolling hills and thrilling finishes; it’s a testament to California’s iconic terrain.”
Sacramento hosted the prologue of the 2009 edition of the race, as well as stage finishes in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011, and is looking forward to the race again next year.
“The City of Sacramento could not be more proud to host the Amgen Tour of California and Stage 1 to kick off race festivities for such a distinguished group of athletes,” said Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson. “There is no better way to start the race’s route through California’s iconic landmarks, attractions and scenery than in the state’s capital city.”
Following that opening day, stage two will see an individual time trial in the former Gold Rush city of Folsom, which will be the first of four cities to make its debut in the race. Stage three will then be the first mountaintop finish of the race, from San Jose to the Mount Diabolo State Park for the second straight year.
Stage four will head between Monterey and the seaside village of Cambria, which will be the second of the first-time host cities, with the next day heading out from Pismo Beach – the “clam capital of the world”, and another race debutant – along the coast to Santa Barbara.
Stage six will then head out from Santa Clarita and the second mountaintop finish of the race on Mountain High, which also features for the first time. Santa Clarita will then also host the following day’s stage start, which will finish in Pasadena. The final day will then start and finish in Thousand Oaks, where Amgen has been based since 1980.
“The Amgen Tour of California is always a challenging stage race that tests the best cyclists in the world,” said Freddie Rodriguez, who recently signed for two more years with Jelly Belly p/b Kenda. “It’s a race I look forward to, and am sure the 2014 race will not disappoint!”
Tour of California (2.HC) May 11th-18th
Stages
Stage 1: Sunday, May 11 – Sacramento
Stage 2: Monday, May 12 – Folsom (Individual Time Trial)
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 13 – San Jose to Mount Diablo State Park
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 14 – Monterey to Cambria
Stage 5: Thursday, May 15 – Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara
Stage 6: Friday, May 16 – Santa Clarita to Mountain High
Stage 7: Saturday, May 17 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena
Stage 8: Sunday, May 18 – Thousand Oaks