Amgen Cycling Tour of California

Earlier this month, the Amgen Cycling Tour of California has announced its official 13 host cities for the 2012 race.

Although Modesto has been a participating city for the cyclists of this race for 4 consecutive years, it will not be a part of the Amgen Tour for this upcoming meet.

Modesto made its debut in 2008 as a starting point for the tour’s 3rd stage road to San Jose. In place of Modesto, the tour has added the host cities of Bakersfield and Clovis.

The Amgen Tour of California began in 2006, with its first race running along the coast from San Francisco to Redondo Beach. Many now see it as America’s most prestigiously recognized, professional, and anticipated cycling races of the year. Participating cyclists range from Olympic medalists, to World Champions, and even Tour de France competitors.

The seventh annual Amgen tour will take place from May 13 to the 20, and will cover more than 750 miles across the state. The race will consist of 8 total stages with 13 host cities. Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour stated in a November press release, “Our goal for the Amgen Tour of California has always been to create a route that not only provides a challenging race for the world’s top cyclists, but one that highlights the beauty and diverse terrain that make up the great state of California as well.”

Though the cycling tour has many sponsors including Adobe, Nissan, Aquafina, Radioshack, and UnitedHealthcare, it is named after its main sponsor company, Amgen, which is one of the leading biotechnology companies in the world and is headquartered in California.

Amgen maintains its objective, which is to raise awareness of resource availability to patients of cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone diseases, and other life threatening illnesses. The company encourages the public to take advantage of these resources and perpetuates its message by continuing its role as title sponsor of the race from its startup in 2006 to present day.

The dates and locations of the race stages were released on the tour’s website, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, and are as follows:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 13 – Santa Rosa

Stage 2: Monday, May 14 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz County

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 15 – San Jose to Livermore

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 16 – Sonora to Clovis

Stage 5: Thursday, May 17 – Bakersfield (Individual Time Trial)

Stage 6: Friday, May 18 – Palmdale to Big Bear Lake

Stage 7: Saturday, May 19 – Ontario to Mt. Baldy

Stage 8: Sunday, May 20 – Los Angeles