2016 Amgen Tour of California Host Cities Announced

Amgen Tour of California 2016 Host Cities

On October 22, AEG Sports announced the host cities for the 2016 Amgen Tour of California.  From May 15-22, the tour will run northward starting in San Diego for the first time. The tour will end in Sacramento, the state capital, for the eighth time, and the first time as the finishing stage. The exact routes have not been worked out as of yet, however as soon as the routes are announced, I will revisit the route.
Along with the men’s pro cycling teams, 20 of the top women’s cycling teams will participate in a four stage Women's race from May 19 to May 22. This stage race will be a part of the first-ever UCI Women's World Tour (WWT).

Stage 1 - San Diego, May 15, 2016

While the Amgen Tour has been to San Diego County two times before, this will be the first time that the Tour will pass through downtown San Diego and finish near Mission Bay. This stage will showcase one of the nicest areas in Southern California, and the weather should be outstanding.

Stage 2 - South Pasadena to Santa Clarita, May 16, 2016

Santa Clarita, next door to famous Six Flags Magic Mountain, will host the Tour for the 11th time. Santa Clarita is the most visited host city in the Tour history. The route should pass through a portion of the Angeles National Forest and over the hills in that forest.

Stage 3 - Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara County, May 17, 2016

Once again, the Tour will pass through Ventura County, the home of Amgen, the sponsor of the race. Amgen is based in Thousand Oaks. The cyclists will be faced with a tough mountainous stage this year with a mountain top finish on Gibraltar Road. They finally repaved Gibraltar earlier this year and is a smooth as a table top. Let’s hope the winter rains and subsequent boulder falls do not tear up the new asphalt. Some local cyclists have been eager to see how the pros do on Gibraltar, including me.

Stage 4 - Morro Bay to Monterey County, May 18, 2016

Morro Bay and Monterey County host the Tour for the first time next year. Winds could be a factor at this stage, something that some teams could take advantage of. The stage ends at the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, home of the Laguna Raceway.

Stage 5 - Lodi to South Lake Tahoe, May 19, 2016

The women’s four-day race starts with this stage. The women’s stage starts and finished in South Lake Tahoe. The men’s race runs from Lodi to South Lake Tahoe. This mountain stage will top out at 8,600 feet (2,600 m).

Stage 6 - Folsom Individual Time Trial & Women's Team Time Trial, May 20, 2016

Both the men and women will participate in the ‘race of truth’, an individual time trial. This stage could be a separation point for the eventual winner of the men’s and women’s races.

Stage 7 - Santa Rosa, May 21, 2016

The tour will continue in Northern California wine country. Napa Valley is nearby to Santa Rosa. Former pro tour cyclist Levi Leipheimer’s popular charity ride, Levi’s Gran Fondo route will be a portion of this stage.

Stage 8 - Sacramento, May 22, 2016


The last stage of both the men’s and women’s stage races will take place on the streets of Sacramento, the state capital for the eighth time, the first time as the last stage. The winner of both races will be crowned on the steps of the capitol building probably. I assume that Governor Jerry Brown will be there as well.

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