2018 Amgen Tour of California May 13-19 Includes Ventura to Santa Barbara Stage May 14

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Cycling fans can begin plotting their roadside viewing points along the 2018 Amgen Tour of California route.

The 13th edition of America's premier cycling stage race will cover 645 miles of roadways, highways and coastlines during seven stages from Long Beach to Sacramento May 13-19.

Three of the sport's greatest are confirmed to race this year: Mark Cavendish (Team Dimension Data), Marcel Kittel (Team KATUSHA ALPECIN) and "King of California" Peter Sagan (BORA-hansgrohe), cycling's first three-time consecutive World Champion, who also holds the California race record for most stage wins (16).

Sagan, who recently won his 2018 season opener, will come into the Amgen Tour of California defending his seventh California Green Jersey for dominating the race's overall Sprint competition.

The Amgen Tour of California Women's Race empowered with SRAM, showcasing the world's best women cyclists, will run concurrently May 17-19, covering upward of 187 miles over three stages.

Presented by Visit California, a visual overview of the men's and women's courses is viewable at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/2018-route-overview.

With seven new courses between them, the annual professional cycling events are the only U.S. races on the UCI WorldTour calendar and attract some of the most renowned cyclists and teams in the world. The Amgen Tour of California is designed to cover a variety of terrain, allowing different types of specialists among the field of the world's greatest cyclists to shine throughout the week. 2018 will mark the third time the race will run south to north.

Signed apparel from these all-star sprinters, along with other past Amgen Tour of California favorites, are available through an Amgen Tour of California online auction benefiting American Red Cross Disaster Relief in light of the devastation brought on by wildfires and mudslides throughout the state. Race fans - and California fans - will be able bid on exclusive items from merchandise to behind-the-scenes race experiences to help people affected by disasters. 100 percent of the proceeds from the Amgen Tour of California auction organized by STAPLES Center Foundation support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. More details soon at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

With parts of the state still impacted by wildfires and subsequent mudslides, affected portions of the route will be inspected up until race time, and race routes are subject to change to ensure fan and rider safety.

STAGE 1 PRESENTED BY AMGEN'S BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER®
SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2018
LONG BEACH CIRCUIT RACE
83 miles / 133 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Field Sprint

The 7-mile circuit will start and finish on Shoreline Drive near Shoreline Village and the Long Beach Convention Center. The 11 laps of the circuit will utilize portions of Shoreline Drive, Ocean Blvd. and Pine Avenue. Several Long Beach neighborhoods will get a ring-side seat as the peloton races through Bixby Park and Bluff Park, as well as Retro Row and Downtown.

STAGE 2 PRESENTED BY LEXUS
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018
VENTURA TO GIBRALTAR ROAD (Santa Barbara)
97.6 miles / 155 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Select group of 2-3 riders

Gibraltar Road has been the most requested mountaintop finish since the race began. After the mountain road was paved and therefore able to be contested in the 2016 race, it became an instant fan favorite.

The City of Ventura warmly welcomed the race in 2016 as the peloton bid a quick hello passing through to Gibraltar. This year, Ventura will host its first stage - the start of the "Queen Stage" just a few feet from the Pacific Ocean near the Ventura Pier. Will the riders be relaxing and taking in the sun at the start? Probably not. Most will be thinking about the coming assault of Gibraltar Road.

After a neutral parade route through downtown Ventura, the race will head through Oxnard, Santa Paula and Ojai. The riders will climb out of Santa Paula to the first of three King of the Mountain climbs (KOMs) on the day. The 97.6-mile stage has 7,700' of elevation gain, with the journey to the top of Gibraltar featuring a 3,100' climb over the final eight miles of the stage.

UPDATE: The stage passes through the Ventura County cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Somis, Santa Paula and Ojai after beginning at the Ventura Pier at 11:15am. Here are some directions transcribed from the course map at THIS LINK:

  • Ventura Pier
  • East on Harbor Boulevard
  • Right (North) on Figueroa St
  • Left (West) on E. Santa Clara St
  • Right (North) on S. Ventura Ave
  • Right (East) on Main St
  • Right (South) on California St
  • Left (East) on E. Santa Clara St
  • Right (South) on S. Hemlock St
  • Left (East) on E. Thompson
  • Right (Southwest) on San Jon Rd
  • Left (South) on Harbor Boulevard
  • Left (East) on W. 5th St
  • Right (South) on S. Victoria Ave
  • Left (East) on W. Wooley Road
  • Left (North) on S. Rice Ave
  • Right (East) on E. 5th St
  • Left (North) on Lewis Road/Somis Road
  • Right (East) on E. Los Angeles Ave
  • Left (North) on Balcom Canyon Road
  • Left (West) on S. Mountain Rd
  • Right (North) to Highway 150 (Ojai Santa Paula Rd)
  • Then towards Santa Barbara via Ojai Rd, Ojai Ave, Baldwin Rd, Casitas Pass Rd, Foothill Rd., etc.

STAGE 3 PRESENTED BY LEXUS
TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018
KING CITY TO LAGUNA SECA RECREATION AREA (MONTEREY COUNTY)
122.4 miles / 197 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Mass sprint of 15-20 riders

STAGE 4 PRESENTED BY TAG Heuer
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018
SAN JOSE/MORGAN HILL INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
21.6 miles / 34.7 kilometers

STAGE 5 PRESENTED BY VISIT CALIFORNIA
THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018
STOCKTON TO ELK GROVE
109.4 miles / 176 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Field Sprint

STAGE 6 PRESENTED BY VISIT CALIFORNIA
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2018
FOLSOM TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
122 miles / 196.5 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Mass Sprint of 10-15 riders

STAGE 7 PRESENTED BY AMGEN'S BREAKAWAY FROM HEART DISEASE
SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2018
SACRAMENTO
90.7 miles / 146 kilometers
Expected Outcome: Field Sprint

Firefighter Cyclists Passing through Malibu Today for Cancer Awareness Ride

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Suzy Demeter of Suzy Demeter Photography happened to be on PCH in Malibu today when these firefighters came cycling by from the north. They were escorted by a fire truck from Malibu Fire Station #99, the westernmost fire station in Los Angeles County.

This was a group of firefighter cyclists that are part of the National Fire Velo Cycling Club that were on a one week ride from San Francisco Bay to Los Angeles as part of a "Fire Service Cancer Awareness" ride. Today is the final day of their ride, which ends at the Santa Monica Pier.

Visit their Facebook page to learn more, or visit www.firevelo.com.

Final Stage of 2014 Amgen Tour of California to Start and Finish in Thousand Oaks

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Challenging Route to Take the World's Top Cyclists Across More Than 700 Miles of Striking California Terrain During America's Premier Professional Cycling Race May 11–18, 2014

FINAL STAGE OF RACE TO RETURN TO THOUSAND OAKS ON MAY 18TH!

LOCAL ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION AND MAPS FOR MAY 18TH

The Amgen Tour of California returns to Sacramento for the start of the ninth edition of America's largest cycling race. The eight day stage race will return to a route traveling north-to-south from May 11-18, 2014 along more than 700 miles of scenic roads through some of California's most picturesque backdrops. Considered America's largest and most prestigious cycling event, the overall start of the Amgen Tour of California will begin in front of the state's Capital Building and travel through 11 host cities during the eight day event including Folsom, San Jose, Mt. Diablo, Monterey, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita, Mountain High, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks.

The first day starts and finishers in Sacarament. The following day, the Individual Time Trial (Stage 2) will see racers competing against the clock in the former gold rush city of Folsom. For Stage 3, the peloton will return to San Jose (the only city to have participated in all nine editions of the race), for a stage start before traveling more than 50 miles north, gaining altitude as the route winds up Mt. Diablo for a mountaintop finish.

Stage 4 start in Monterey, where the race will traverse approximately 100 miles south to finish the day in Cambria. Stage 5 kicks off in Pismo Beach as the route continues south to Santa Barbara for the Stage 5 finish.  Santa Clarita will host the Stage 6 start, before riders head to Mountain High for another mountaintop finish. The peloton will return to Santa Clarita for the Stage 7 start and will finish that day in Pasadena.

The eighth and final stage of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California will start and finish in Thousand Oaks on Townsgate Road, between Westlake Boulevard and Lakeview Canyon Road.

Each 20-mile circuit will pass through Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, past the Rock Store at the foot of the climb, and then a very technical descent of Westlake Boulevard.

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

The 13 Host City partners for the 2014 Amgen Tour of California include:

• 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
• Stage 4: Wednesday, May 14 – Monterey to Cambria
• Stage 5: Thursday, May 15 – Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara

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2013 Amgen Tour of California Route Passes Through Ventura County on May 15th

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2013 Amgen Tour of California Route Announced

For the First Time, America’s Greatest Cycling Race Will Travel South to North, Beginning in Escondido and Crossing Beaches, Deserts, Mountains, Golden Gate Bridge

Changing direction for the first time in its eight-year history from south to north, America’s largest and most prestigious professional cycling stage race, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, will bring riders and spectators first-time destinations, unprecedented climbs and demanding sprints on the approximately 750-mile course.

Amgen returns as the title sponsor for the heralded 8-stage race, set for May 12 to 19, 2013. Beginning with a circuit in Escondido, the route will run through 13 official host cities and include a first-time finish at the top of Mount Diablo, the 3,864-foot peak in the San Francisco Bay area. The race’s last stage will begin along the San Francisco Bay and continue across the Golden Gate Bridge, where a rolling traffic break will give cyclists uninterrupted access for the six-minute crossing.

Two new cities join the race route roster: Greater Palm Springs and Murrieta will host Stage 2, which will include an intense finish up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, one of the toughest climbs anywhere with an 1,880-foot elevation gain in the last four miles. Two other firsts: Escondido and Santa Rosa will become the first cities in race history to have hosted both an overall start and an overall finish.

As one of the most anticipated professional cycling races on the international calendar, the Amgen Tour of California draws top cyclists from the ranks of Olympic medalists, Tour de France competitors and world champions including BMC Racing Team’s current world road champion Philippe Gilbert.

The 2013 Amgen Tour of California will feature the following highlights (route and start times are subject to change):

Stage 1: Sunday, May 12, 11:15 am start – Escondido, Stage Length 104.3 miles

Stage 2: Monday, May 13, 10:20 am start – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs (126.1 miles) 

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 11:20 am start – Palmdale to Santa Clarita (Finishes at Magic Mountain Parkway) (111.8 miles) 

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 12:35 pm start – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara (84.7 miles)

Stage 4 is largely through Ventura Co

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Photos From Today's Amgen Tour of California Final Stage in Thousand Oaks

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The final stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California flew into Thousand Oaks this afternoon as the entire city geared up for the excitement. While I wasn't there because I was entertaining my kids in Santa Barbara, Marcella Ketelhut of local Los Robles Hills Winery made me feel like I was with some awesome photos. Learn more about the Tour results and this year's overall winner, Chris Horner, at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

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6th Annual Amgen Tour of California Final Stage Will Finish in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, May 22nd

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Route details have been announced for Stage 8! Race starts in Santa Clarita at McBean Parkway and Magic Mountain Parkway to the 126 West through Piru/Fillmore. Then it cuts south to the hilly Balcom Canyon Road to Stockton Road, then east on Los Angeles Avenue in Moorpark. From there it goes south on Tierra Rejada Road on to Moorpark Road and the Norwegian Grade...ouch! Up and over the top of the grade to Olsen Road west, then boy is it gonna be a blistering pace down Lynn Road! The cyclists will turn left (east) on Hillcrest to what looks to be Old Conejo School Road (adjacent to The Lakes), and from there it will be another 5 lap, 4 mile per lap circuit that includes Thousand Oaks Boulevard and ends at the T.O. Civic Arts Plaza (Thousand Oaks Blvd and Conejo School Road). There will be miles and miles of great race coverage in Thousand Oaks!

Amgen Tour Street Closure Map in Thousand Oaks this Sunday

View 2011 Amgen Tour City of Thousand Oaks Route with Street Closu­­res/­R­oad Blocks in a larger map

The 6th Annual Amgen Tour of California will take place over 8 days, from May 15-22, 2011. This year's event starts in a new location, South Lake Tahoe, on May 15th. From there it goes to North Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Auburn, Modesto, Livermore, San Jose, Seaside, Paso Robles, Solvang, Claremont, Mount Baldy, Santa Clarita...and, finally...THOUSAND OAKS once again in the 8th Stage finale on Sunday, May 22nd. Over 800 miles of riding. The Thousand Oaks final stage will finish at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Last year's final stage in Thousand Oaks had 128 cyclists and 63 finishers. Hopefully we will see many of the same from last year's top 5, winner Michael Rogers, 2nd place David Zabriskie, 3rd place Levi Leipheimer (winner of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 events), 4th place Christoper Horner and 5th place Ryder Hesjedal. Lance Armstrong rode in the 2010 event but had to bow out after a crash in Stage 5.

For more information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com or the City of Thousand Oaks Stage 8 website at www.amgentourconejo.org.