Amgen Tour of California 2013 Host Cities Announced

For the First Time Ever, Race will Travel from South to North, Starting in Escondido

Here’s the press release — Karen Kefauver

 LOS ANGELES (November 27, 2012) – Twelve cities have been named official Host City partners for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California by AEG, presenter of the race, helping to make up the route which will take riders on a South to North course for the first time in the eight-year race history. Considered America’s largest and most prestigious professional road cycling stage race, the eighth consecutive edition of the Amgen Tour of California will travel approximately 750 miles from May 12-19, 2013.

 

“Taking the Amgen Tour of California from South to North is something we always knew we wanted to do, and we are thrilled with the way things have come together for 2013,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We think this will bring a whole new element to the competition for the elite cyclists who participate, not to mention some striking California scenery for our worldwide audience. California provides a variety of beautiful yet challenging terrain, helping us achieve our goal of creating a challenging route year after year while showcasing the very best this state has to offer.” 

The official race start, Stage 1, will begin and finish in Escondido, a city located in northern San Diego that had previously hosted 2009’s spectacular overall finish. The next day, Stage 2 will take riders through the hot desert terrain from Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs, two cities making their race debut. For Stage 3, the race will return to Palmdale for a stage start and then travel approximately 100 miles west to the city of Santa Clarita. The city, which hosted the race in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, will also serve as the start of Stage 4. From there, the cyclists will ride north toward the Pacific Coast and picturesqueSanta Barbara, which last hosted the race in 2008, for the Stage 4 finish.

“I’m very excited to hear about the new South – North route for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California,” said Chris Horner, 2011 Amgen Tour of California champion. “After growing up in San Diego, I love seeing the race back on the roads I’ve ridden for the past 25 years. Being welcomed by thousands of fans in Escondido in 2009 was a highlight of my career, and I’m sure the crowds will be even more amazing for the 2013 edition. The Amgen Tour of California is one of my favorite races of the year, and I’m already looking forward to battling it out on the California roads again this May!”

The race will remain in Santa Barbara for the start of Stage 5 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. Ocean views will provide the perfect backdrop for racers and spectators alike as the route heads north to Avila Beach for the Stage 5 finish. San Jose will play host to Stage 6 and the Individual Time Trial, marking the eighth consecutive year the race has visited the city. San Jose is the only city to participate in all eight editions of the race.

Stage 7 will start in Livermore and head to Mt. Diablo for an intense mountaintop finish. The eighth and final stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will start in San Francisco and finish in Santa Rosa, which played host to the official race start last year.

Commenting on the 2013 route, Tejay van Garderen of the BMC Racing Team, who won the best young rider classification at this year’s Tour de France and placed fourth overall at the 2012 Amgen Tour of California said, “Santa Rosa had big crowds and a huge reception last year for the start, so it will be exciting to go back to the hometown of the BMC Racing Team. I also spent a little time last winter in Santa Barbara, so that should be a fun town to finish in as well. As an American cyclist, the Amgen Tour of California is always a priority for me and our team, and I am looking forward to racing in California again in 2013.”

“Each of the Host City partners announced today is unique in its own way and brings character to our race,” continued to Bachochin. “We are looking forward to another exciting year and another intense competition.” 

Amgen returns as the race title sponsor for the eighth consecutive year, continuing to leverage the event to raise awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer through its Breakaway from Cancer^® initiative. (For more information,www.breakawayfromcancer.com)

“The Amgen Tour of California has provided a platform for us to extend the reach of Breakaway from Cancer, a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering patients through education, resources, and hope,” said Bob Azelby, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Given Amgen’s mission to serve patients, we look forward to honoring cancer survivors and their loved ones in the host communities as the race travels throughout California.”

Carrying an elite distinction, the Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar (2. HC, meaning “beyond category”), awarding important, world-ranking points to the top finishers.

The Amgen Tour of California continues to draw global attention as one of the most anticipated cycling events of the year – one that attracts Olympic medalists, World Champions and the top Tour de France competitors.

“As an American pro cyclist and recent California transplant, I am extremely excited to see where the 2013 Amgen Tour of California route will run,” said Peter Stetina of Team Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda. “Being on an American team, Garmin-Sharp-Barracuda, with American sponsors, The Amgen Tour of California is one of the most important races of the year for us.”

 

The 12 Host City partners for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California include:

• ·         Stage 1: Sunday, May 12 – Escondido
• ·         Stage 2: Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs
• ·         Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita
• ·         Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara
• ·         Stage 5: Thursday, May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach
• ·         Stage 6: Friday, May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial)
• ·         Stage 7: Saturday, May 18 – Livermore to Mt. Diablo
• ·         Stage 8: Sunday, May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa

In celebration of the Host Cities announcement, the newly designed 2013 race Leader Jersey, produced by the new, official Amgen Tour of California jersey supplier Champion System, is now available for purchase online at www.AmgenTourofCaliforniaStore.com. Also on sale is a special, Limited Edition Jersey, perfect for the cycling fan on your holiday gift list. More details on the Champion System partnership will be released next month. For further information on the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, and to view the 2013 Amgen Tour of California map, visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com.

 

About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013.

 

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe, effective medicines from lab to manufacturing plant to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

About AEG

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race, and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG Live, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring, and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.

Related articles

• Amgen Tour of California will reportedly finish in Santa Rosa (mercurynews.com)
• Amgen Tour of California will include Livermore, San Jose as participant cities (mercurynews.com)
• Amgen announces race host cities today (modbee.com)

Cyclists for Cultural Exchange Honored by CASA as Organization of the Year

 

Cyclists for Cultural Exchange is Honored as CASA Organization of the Year Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) annually honors an outstanding organization, educator and individual in Santa Cruz County whose special efforts help support children in the county’s foster care system. Over the past four years, CCE has made grants to CASA that have made it possible to purchase bicycles for 50 foster kids. The project granting money to CASA was led by CCE board member Patrick Kretsch, pictured below with some of the bikes given to foster kids. Patrick explains his passion for the project in a recent article in the Watsonville Patch (read it here). There’s also more about the CASA project on our website here. Every year CCE grants funds to projects around the world that support ourmission statement. Grant applications are considered in March and September. For more information visit our grants page. A Big Thank You to our Sponsors!  Our generous sponsors helped make Strawberry Fields Forever a huge success in 2012. Please consider repaying their generosity by patronizing these local businesses: Gizdich Ranch Glaum Egg Ranch New Leaf Community Markets Beckmann’s Bakery Lakeside Organic Gardens Calfee Design Gianna’s Aptos Bike Station Driscoll’s California Giant Berry Farms Bicycle Trip Monterey Mushrooms Pacific Coffee Roasting Swanton Berry Farm Big Sur Bar Trader Joe’s Mica Cellars Deluxe Foods of Aptos

 

Trail Work at Wilder Ranch State Park on Saturday, August 4 thru Trailworkers.com

NEW! At Wilder Ranch State Park join a work crew the first Saturday of the month. Here’s Harvey Hartman’s report. Contact him for questions at  hhartman@trailworkers.com.

Saturday, August 4 at Wilder Ranch State Park:

We’re planning something a little different this month. Instead of trying to dig in the dry, hard dirt or even cutting back brush, we are going to spend the day doing tool tune-ups. We’ve been using mostly the same tools for over ten years now, and they have never received any attention beyond field dressing the cutting edges and sometimes a water rinse after a particularly muddy project. So we will be doing some cleaning and sharpening.

If you’d like to participate in this special project, please sign up online, and join us in the main parking lot at 9:45AM. Let the person at the entry kiosk know that you’re a volunteer for the trail crew, and you can park for free.

We will be handling the sharp, steel business ends of trail tools that have been used to cut poison oak. For this reason, it will be especially important to wear gloves.

Be sure to bring your own food and water. You can reply to this message with any questions that you may have.

Clips of Faith Beer and Film Festival features Handmade Films and Handmade Beers tonight in Santa Cruz

Clips of Faith film festival is THE place to be tonight, July 20th, 2012, for cyclists in Santa Cruz!
Doors open at 7:30

Films begin at dark
FREE Admission
Free bike valet
100% of proceeds goes towards opening a brand new
Bike Tech classroom at Santa Cruz High School!

Fore more info on the event, go to projectbiketrip.org

THE DEAL:
~We’ll be setting up a giant outdoor movie theater for your fun and enjoyment.
~Bring a blanket or camp chairs to make yourselves comfortable.
~Bring a picnic basket, if you like, with some snacks for the fam.
~All ages welcome.
~No outside alcohol, please – leave the alcohol to the experts…New Belgium Brewing, that is.
~New Belgium Brewing will have beers on tap from their hard to find Lips of Faith series.
~100% of beer and raffle sales will be donated to Project Bike Trip’s Bike Tech Program!
~ADMISSION is FREE!

DATE: Friday, July 20th, 2012

TIME: Doors open at 7:30 – Films begin at dark

PLACE: Wrigley Building parking lot (MAP) (Corner of Western & Mission)

THE FILMS: The selected films include comedic shorts, adventure documentaries, and music animation.

FOOD VENDOR: tbd

COST: Admission is FREE! Food and beer available by cash or check only.

GETTING THERE: High fives to those who ride! Valet bike parking provided by People Power and Green Ways to School.

Trail Work – Volunteers Needed to Help Build Pogonip Bike Trail

Here’s an update from the Pogonip trail building coordinator, Drew Perkins. Photos by trail builder Tim Park.

On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 10:09 PM, Drew Perkins wrote:

Thanks to the 23 volunteers we had out there today, [Sunday, June 24. We dialed in the redwood grove switchback (thanks Sebastian for the panorama) and finished up over 500 feet of trail.

Thanks to Matt Lezin for providing pizza and ABS, Spokesman, Bicycle Trip, Sprockets, Epicenter, Caletti Cycles, and Santa Cruz Mountains clothing for providing raffle prizes for volunteers.

The trail is shaping up nicely, but there is still much more work to do.

Weekday evening work continues on Wednesdays and Thursdays, meet at 5:30 pm at the bottom of U-Con.

Next weekend workday is Sunday July 8th.

If you are available during the day on weekdays we will be running the trail machine most days this week and could use help. – Drew Perkins

Email Drew Perkins for more info: trails@mbosc.org

All donations made through this site will be dedicated to the Pogonip trail

https://www.wepay.com/donations/147116

Trail volunteer schedules and further information can be found at

http://www.mbosc.org/local-parks/pogonip/

Reveal the Path — Bicycle Movie Screens Tonight at Rio Theater in Santa Cruz

The adventure cycling documentary, “Reveal The Path,” screens June 22 in Santa Cruz at 7 p.m. at the Rio Theater.

The creators of the award-winning film “Ride The Divide” are back with their follow-up film that is an inspirational story of adventure, taking viewers on a 36-day vagabond bike trip to some of the world’s most visually stunning destinations.

Filmed on four continents, “Reveal The Path” features world-class mountain bikers, including Tour Divide founder Matthew Lee, star of “Ride The Divide,” and Kurt Refsnider, 2011 Tour Divide winner. Sponsored by Salsa Cycles, the full-length feature film explores Europe’s snow-capped mountains, Scotland’s lush valleys, Alaska’s rugged coastal beaches, Nepal’s elevated wonders and Morocco’s high desert landscapes.

Along the way the riders connect with locals who are living modest yet seemingly fulfilling lives, leading the filmmakers to question what it means to live an inspired life – however humble or extravagant.

Director Mike Dion will be in attendance for the Santa Cruz premiere of “Reveal The Path,” which made its world premiere on May 31 in Minneapolis.

“This adventure will leave you with an eager desire to chart your own course to faraway lands,” said Dion, who also co-stars in “Reveal The Path,” as he did in “Ride The Divide.” “Or, simply, you may just want to discover with eyes wide open what is around the next bend.”

The Rio Theatre is located at 1205 Soquel Ave. in Santa Cruz.

Tickets the night of the show will be $15 at the door.

More information: www.revealthepath.com. 

Celebrate Trips for Kids Santa Cruz First Annual Open House June 2

Roxanne Harrison, Vice President of Trips for Kids Santa Cruz announced the first Open House to celebrate trips for kids. Save the date: Saturday, June 2, 2012 and feel free to spread the word. 

– By Karen Kefauver

The open house is Saturday, June 2, from 11am-2pm at 345 Harvest Drive, Watsonville.

We will raffle off a brand new Raleigh mountain bike, plus lots of other cool prizes! You must be present to win! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about Trips for Kids Santa Cruz. For more information contact bikesantacruzca@gmail.com

Scroll down for more details.

Email from Roxanne:

It is hard to believe it has been a year since we first started the Santa Cruz chapter of Trips for Kids Santa Cruz (T4KSC). A lot has happened in our first year and as a celebration of more good things to come we invite you to attend our first annual open house at our new space dubbed the “Launch Pad.”

This space has been generously donated by the Martinelli family and we are excited to show it off to the community!

The open house is Saturday, June 2, from 11am-2pm at 345 Harvest Drive, Watsonville.

At 10am that morning, we will be taking a group of about 20 kids from the Launch Pad to the Harkins Slough for our monthly group ride. If you know of a kid who may want to participate in the ride feel free to contact me so I can have them fill out the paperwork prior to the ride. They can always just show up at 10am on June 2 and we can take care of paperwork that morning. Join us for the group ride and see firsthand Trips for Kids Santa Cruz in action.

In addition to the group ride, we will be offering D’La Comena‘s taco bar for lunch and raffling off a brand new Raleigh bike as well as other great prizes. All group riders will receive 3 free raffle tickets! The board members will be there to talk about the program and new opportunities.

Questions? Contact Roxanne: 831-227-3378 or bikesantacruzca@gmail.com.

Thank you for your support and interest in Trips for Kids Santa Cruz!

NOTES

• Kids who want to ride to Harkins Slough should arrive at 10 a.m.

Harkins Slough is the largest and most north-reaching slough in the Watsonville system

• FIRST COME-FIRST SERVE – The FIRST 20 KIDS OUT AT 10AM.

• WE PROVIDE THE BIKE AND HELMET

• ALL RIDERS EARN 3 RAFFLE TICKETS!

• LUNCH: COME ENJOY D’LA COLMENA’S TACO BAR ON US!

Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 Race report, results and photos

Amidst breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island, Stage 2 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California  finished in Santa Cruz County, Monday. After traveling 117 miles from San Francisco, the cyclists hit Santa Cruz County and raced to the finish with Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale crossing the line first and taking the stage win for the second day in a row.

I had a ball (or a balloon) at Tour of California Stage 2 finish Monday in Aptos, California. What a blast! And yes, I did use the Bike Valet service (as seen on the balloon). That was a brilliant idea. Photo credit: Richard Masoner of www.cyclelicio.us

Here are MY PICS from amazing day Monday during Amgen Tour of California 2012 – Santa Cruz County https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150812810622293.401459.532117292&type=1&l=03fe6726ce
Here is the VIDEO of Tour of CA from yesterday. I had not seen it yet!
http://youtu.be/rwqwnRTojGs

Stage 1 Top-3

First – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)

Second – Heinrich Haussler (AUS), Garmin-Barracuda (USA

Third – Leigh Howard (AUS), Orica-GreenEDGE (AUS)

Jersey Winners

Amgen Leader Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)

Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey – David Boily (CAN), Team Spidertech Powered by C10 (CAN)

Visit California Sprint Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA)  (Heinrich Haussler (AUS), Garmin-Barracuda (USA) will wear the green Visit California Sprint Jersey tomorrow since Peter Sagan cannot wear two jerseys)

Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey – Peter Sagan (SVK), Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA) (Josh Atkins, (NZL), Bontrager Livestrong Team (USA) will wear the Robobank Best Young Rider Jersey tomorrow since Peter Sagan cannot wear two jerseys)

Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey – Jeremy Vinnell (NZL), Bissell Pro Cycling

Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey – Alexandre Geniez (FRA), Team Argos-Shimano

Press Release from Amgen Tour of California:

APTOS, CALIF. (May 14, 2012) – Young Slovakian cycling sensation and overall 2012 Amgen Tour of California race leader Peter Sagan (SVK) of Liquigas-Cannondale crashed and punctured a tire on a wicked descent, but recovered to win Stage 2 of the race in Santa Cruz, Calif., his second consecutive stage in as many days. Ironically, the punctured tire was also the second flat of the race in as many days for the 22-year-old Sagan who maintained his overall lead over Australia’s Heinrich Haussler of the Garmin-Barracuda team after the second stage of America’s greatest professional cycling race. Leigh Howard (AUS) of Orica-GreenEDGE, who placed third during Stage 2, remained in third place overall.

“I don’t know, maybe it takes a natural disaster,” said Sagan, when asked what it would take to stop his winning ways, noting he suffered an untimely punctured tire three miles from the finish yesterday and still won Stage 1. “I am feeling good. I will see tomorrow (to make it three straight wins),” he continued.Amidst breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Angel Island, Stage 2 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California got underway in San Francisco and routed south 117.1 miles over the climbs of Empire Grade and Bear Creek Road.

At the start of Stage 2, after leaving the city of San Francisco, riders headed toward the coast and the first sprint of the day in Pacifica, where Howard, Maarten Tjallingii (NED) of Rabobank Cycling Team and Bradley White (USA) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team were the first three to cross the line. Shortly thereafter, six racers, including White; Jeremy Vennell (NZL) of Bissell Pro Cycling; Michael Creed (USA) of Team Optum Powered by Kelly Benefit Strategies; Lloyd Mondory (FRA) of AG2R La Mondiale; Juan Pablo Suarez (COL) of Colombia-Coldeportes; and Alexandre Geniez (FRA) of Team Argos-Shimano established a breakaway.

This breakaway swept the second sprint points with White, Vennell and Mondory crossing in that order.

Fifty miles into the race, the break had a comfortable lead of nine minutes and 45 seconds ahead of the peloton; however, after passing through the feed zone, the group began working harder to reel them back in. As the breakaway group closed in on Bonny Doon and the first King of the Mountain (KOM) climb of the day, the gap was narrowed to five minutes and 50 seconds. As the cyclists began to climb, Garmin-Barracuda worked hard at the front of the peloton for their leader Tom Danielson (USA). After a few attacks, only three riders were left in the break – White, Vennell and Geniez – with a lead of four minutes and 20 seconds. Sitting in and out of the saddle while climbing, Geniez went out in front of the break alone.

While on the climb, a crash occurred, taking down several riders, including Sagan; George Hincapie (USA) of BMC Racing Team; Laurens Ten Dam (NED) of Rabobank Cycling Team; Andres Diaz Corrales (COL) of Exergy; and Josh Atkins (NZL) of the Bontrager Livestrong Team. Sagan showed what he is made of by getting up quickly from the crash, brushing himself off and regaining contact with the peloton. While this was happening, Geniez continued to ride alone at the front with a lead of four minutes and 55 seconds ahead of the group, and ultimately claimed top KOM points on Empire Grade. He was followed by David Boily (CAN) of Spidertech Powered by C10.

With five riders at the front of the peloton, Garmin-Barracuda began flying down the mountain with a gap of three minutes and 55 seconds off the front. Vennell and White hung together, in between Geniez and the peloton. After the decent, the peloton was split with about 25 racers in the first portion, then about a 30-second split to the main peloton. Just before the Bear Creek climb, Vennell and White were absorbed by the peloton, leaving Geniez alone in front. But, with just 35km to go, Geniez was caught by the peloton, which was being led by UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.

“It was a very hard day,” said Vennell, a former National Time Trial champion of New Zealand. “The descent off Bonny Doon was pretty scary.”

Liquigas-Cannondale took over work at the front of the peloton, controlling the pace on the last bit of uphill before the major descent. Heading toward the final sprint of the day, Maxime Bouet (FRA) of AG2R La Mondiale attacked, but Marc de Maar (AHO) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team claimed the top sprint points. With 17km to go, the peloton was flying toward the finish with Liquigas-Cannondale riders occupying the top four spots at the front, followed by riders from Rabobank, BMC Racing Team and RadioShack-Nissan-Trek.

Even with an attack by Rory Sutherland (AUS) of UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team at the finish, Sagan managed to outsprint the pack to take the Stage 2 win. He was followed by Haussler and Howard to round out the top three for the stage.

Leader jerseys at the end of Stage 2 remained somewhat similar to Stage 1, with Sagan remaining in the Amgen Race Leader, Visit California Sprint and Rabobank Best Young Rider Jerseys. As with yesterday, since Sagan will be wearing the Amgen Race Leader Jersey at the start of tomorrow’s stage, the Visit California Sprint Jersey will be worn by Haussler and the Rabobank Best Young Rider Jersey will be worn by Atkins. Boily still wears the polka dot Nissan King of the Mountain jersey. Vennell claimed the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey, and Geniez secured the Exergy Most Aggressive Rider Jersey.

STAGE 3: Tuesday, May 15

–  San Jose to Livermore

– (115.3 mi/185.5 km)

– Start Time: 11:15 a.m. PT

– Estimated Finish Time: 3:24 – 4:32 p.m. PT

– Satellite Feed Time: 4:50 – 5 p.m. PT

Related articles

• Amgen Tour of California: Stage Two (photos.mercurynews.com)
• Sagan Wins Another Stage At Tour Of California (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• Sagan wins 2nd stage of Tour of California (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 Profile of Race Action 2012

Stage 2 Overview

San Francisco to Santa Cruz County
Start: 11:05 am Est. Finish: 3:53 pm
Total Distance: 117.1 mi./188.5 km
Monday, May 14, 2012

Stage 2 Action
• Stage Map
• Stage Profile
• Stage Log

Stage 2 Map

http://wpc.0ad2.edgecastcdn.net/000AD2/atoc/2012/2012AToCStage2Mapv2.pdf

 

Stage 2 Profile

http://wpc.0ad2.edgecastcdn.net/000AD2/atoc/2012/2012AToCStage2Profilev2.pdf

Stage 2 Log

http://wpc.0ad2.edgecastcdn.net/000AD2/atoc/2012/12-AToC-Stage-2-Log.pdf

Related articles

• Quick Overview on the Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 – Santa Cruz Sentinel Pre-Race Coverage (bicyclesantacruzcalifornia.wordpress.com)
• Guide to Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 Finish in Santa Cruz County, Monday, May 14 (bicyclesantacruzcalifornia.wordpress.com)
• 3 Ways to Track Amgen Tour of California: Your Smart Phone via Tour Tracker, NBC Sports and online (bicyclesantacruzcalifornia.wordpress.com)

Quick Overview on the Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 – Santa Cruz Sentinel Pre-Race Coverage

Santa Cruz County, California, plays proud host to the finish of Stage 2 of Amgen Tour of California. The professional bicycling stage race  attracts some of the best road bike racers in the world, including some who will also race in the Tour de France. The race returns here tomorrow, Monday, May 14, 2012 (after finishes in the City of Santa Cruz in 2009 and 2010). Here’s what the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the daily paper of Santa Cruz County, has to offer for pre-race stories about the Amgen Tour of California. 

Santa Cruz Sentinel stories posted on 05/13/2012

• Jacques-Maynes ready for Tour of California after rough year Jacques-Maynes is gearing up for the most important day of his season Monday, the day he and approximately 130…tackle the Santa Cruz mountains and finish Stage 2 of Amgen‘s Tour of California right here in his stomping grounds. similar results – By Brooke Wright – Sentinel correspondent

• Amgen Tour of California prompts ‘rolling’ road closures Monday in Santa Cruz County As acclaimed cyclists in the Amgen Tour of California speed through the county Monday afternoon, commuters will be brought to a standstill on the route. similar results – By Stephen Baxter

• In Amgen, Jamison Creek offers a winding test of nerves  Throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains, there are roads you probably wouldn’t ride on a burro, let alone a bicycle. Yet organizers behind the 2012 Amgen Tour of California decided to similar results – By Jason Hoppin

• Tour of California: How much will it help the Santa Cruz economy? Check back next week. That’s the answer when you ask about the economic impact of the Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 coming through Santa Cruz County Monday. similar results – By Jondi Gumz

• Amgen’s a boon, headache for Cabrillo: Students, administrators have different views 
Large crowds, thousands of fans cheering from the sidelines, racers dressed in sleek attire, the late-afternoon sunlight gleaming off their helmets, barreling toward the finish line — all of it captured in the international media’s eye. By Kimberly White

05/11/2012 07:04:27 PM PDT

• Tour of California field boasts world class experience, plus cycling’s next generation of stars – By Elliott Almond

04/30/2012 05:39:27 PM PDT

• Amgen organizers confident county is ready for May 14 race – By  JASON HOPPIN — Santa Cruz Sentinel

And here’s a good overview of Amgen Tour of California Stage 2 finish in Santa Cruz County:

• The Race is On! Tour of California set to return

By Jason Hoppin – Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 05/12/2012 03:00:31 PM PDT

APTOS — If you want to know happens when 144 very large, very powerful men engage in a fast-moving mosh pit on wheels, Monday afternoon just might give you the opportunity.

Months of local planning will come to a head when the Amgen Tour of California returns to Santa Cruz after a one-year hiatus. The second stage of arguably America’s greatest bike race is ending in our backyard, and many are expecting 117 miles of punishment to culminate in a breathtaking sprint to the Aptos finish line.

“If you want to see action,” said local cycling journalist Jim Langley, “watching the sprint is fantastic.”

Santa Cruz County’s connection to cycling runs deep, and many of the seminal figures in the development of recreational cycling have connections here, from Tom Cuthbertson to Ross Shafer to Keith Bontrager. Books that helped popularize bicycling in the 60s and 70s, the sport of cyclocross, carbon-fiber bike frames and mountain bike suspension all have local origins.

Yet it took members of the Santa Cruz County Cycling Club to bring the tour back, after local governments abandoned their official support. The group includes lead local organizer Maura Noel, who offered her retirement savings as a guarantee that they could raise the money needed to make the event work.

“All the big stuff is in place, it’s really just details now,” Noel said Friday. “I’m super excited and happy the way the community has supported us these past seven months. Now if everyone just buys a T-shirt, I’ll be ecstatic.”

This year’s race will include a health and wellness festival at the Cabrillo College finish line, and numerous local and national vendors will be on hand. Cabrillo plans to hold classes as usual, though Soquel High, also along the race route, is only holding a half-day of classes.

In past years, the fight for the right to wear the stage winner’s jersey was decided in Bonny Doon, previously the day’s only major climb. This year, race organizers added another long haul up Bear Creek Road, making observers wonder whether any members of the pack would be able to break free.

“They’re trying to tear their legs off this year with so many hills,” Langley said of this year’s race.

That means there could be a crowd barreling toward the finish line at Cabrillo. If so, teams will do just about anything to break their sprinters free, including bumping the wheels of other riders and even an occasional head-butt.

Many are happy to see the race return. Ryan Beauregard, owner of Bonny Doon’s Beauregard Vineyards, has seen his winery turn into a party during past races. This year, Beauregard is selling $60 tickets to a catered lunch and blues band fiesta that promises to again be a viewing hot spot.

“No one’s going to have more fun than us,” Beauregard said.

People interested in making sure they don’t miss the finish can buy grandstand seats from the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, with chamber representative Meggie Schuller saying interest is strong.

“It’s going good. We’ve sold about 160 tickets” of 220, Schuller said, saying she expects race-day sales as well.

Covering 733 miles, the race begins Sunday in Santa Rosa and ends eight days later in Beverly Hills. Organizers see it as a major precursor to the Tour de France, and it includes some of the best riders in the world.

Stage 2 begins at Marina Green in San Francisco in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge. Riders then come down Highway 1 before turning into the Santa Cruz Mountains just past Davenport.

From there, riders climb Empire Grade before a white-knuckle descent down Jamison Creek Road into Boulder Creek. From there, they climb again to Summit Road, where a timed sprint is held.

The last 17 miles of the race are either downhill or flat, which should make for excitement. Along Soquel-San Jose Road, riders should reach speeds approaching 60 mph.

Follow Sentinel reporter Jason Hoppin on Twitter: @scnewsdude

IF YOU GO

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA

WHEN: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Various locations; Festival at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos.

DONATIONS: Organizers are still seeking donations. To help, visit: http://www.tourofcalifornia-santacruz.com/get_involved/contribute

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