Amgen Picks Cities To Host 2015 Race

Amgen Tour of California race organizers say the 2015 men's race will start in Sacramento May 10 and end in Pasadena May 17.

After a four year absence, Nevada City will host a stage. Duane Strawser is a Nevada City councilman and bike shop owner.

"It's huge," says Strawser. "The recognition you get which helps the Nevada City Classic going into 55 years. The money it brings into the region is huge. You know, as a tourism-based, historic town, we can't buy this type of coverage and exposure."

Professional Cyclist Freddie Rodriguez lives in Berkeley. He says next year's Tour of California will be his last. He's working with the tour to encourage kids to be active.

"I enjoy it because I really believe in what we are doing," says Rodrigueq. "I really believe in our sport. I believe in the hard work we put into it. I believe in the inspirational stories that we've created, that my foundation's created with kids and it's something we all can do."

This will be the tour's 10th year for the men.

This will be the seventh year Sacramento has hosted a stage. Steve Hammond with the Sacramento Convention Visitors Authority says the race will be broadcast to 200 countries.

"It tells folks -and they'll see it visually - what a cool city Sacramento is and how many things there are to do," says Hammond. "But, in terms of trying to reach out to people - other people that do large events - it says, 'Sacramento's got it going on and there isn't any kind of a big event along with the other things that we've done that we can't do here in Sacramento'"

Hammond says an Amgen Tour stage in Sacramento generates almost $5 million in economic stimulus for the region.

Lodi and San Jose will host stages. This will be Lodi's first. San Jose has hosted a stage every year.

Stage 4 will take riders from Pismo Beach to Avila Beach. Stage 5 will start in Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita. Big Bear Lake will host Stage 6, the race's time trial. Stage 7 will be a mountain stage - starting in Ontario and finishing on Mt. Baldy. The race's final day will start at L.A. Live and end at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The women's race is in its second year and will expand to four days. The women will race at South Lake Tahoe for two days - May 8 and 9 - in Sacramento May 10 and then at Big Bear for the finale, May 15.

Korina Huizar rides for Vanderkitten Racing and is a Sacramento native.

"This is unprecedented," Huizar says. "And, so, for the Tour of California to put this together and really stand behind the women is phenomenal. It really sets the tone for world racing worldwide."

Organizers say they will meet with the host cities for the next six weeks to set the race course.