Race organiser AEG Sports is looking for more than 4,500 volunteers to help out with the running of this year’s Amgen Tour of California. The majority will be to serve as volunteer course marshals, to provide support to the 75 professional course marshals, and will be responsible for monitoring pedestrians, barricades and road closures.

Marshals will also have the opportunity to be on the race route, getting close to the riders.

As well as marshals, race organisers also require volunteers for such areas as hospitality, security and media operations.

“The support of the volunteers in the local communities that the Amgen Tour of California travels through is essential to the success of the race,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “Getting involved with the race as a volunteer allows local residents to take part in an event that captures the attention of local communities and the world, in addition to witnessing first-hand in the behind-the-scenes planning involved in an event of this stature.”

The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will consist of eight stages, between May 16th and May 23rd. Riders expected at this year’s race include seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer, two-time California runner-up and US time trial champion Dave Zabriskie and US road champion George Hincapie.

Those interested in volunteering for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California should visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com/Tour/volunteer.

Dates of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California:
Stage 1: Sunday, May 16 – Nevada City to Sacramento
Stage 2: Monday, May 17 – Davis to Santa Rosa
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 18 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 19 – San Jose to Modesto
Stage 5: Thursday, May 20 – Visalia to Bakersfield
Stage 6: Friday, May 21 – Pasadena to Big Bear Lake
Stage 7: Saturday, May 22 – Los Angeles (individual time trial)
Stage 8: Sunday, May 23 – Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills