Anyone have any definitive information on this event? Is it still scheduled to happen in February? Route? Teams?

It seemed like it got a lot of hype when first announced but I have heard practically nothing since then... The website (http://www.tourofcalifornia.com/) has little info...

It's on the UCI schedule....

http://www.uci.ch/ucinet/uci.asp?page=Calendar&discipline=roa&ryear=2006&ridercategory=me&continent=ame&l=eng

I can't say I have heard anything. It says coming in Feb. The website claims a TDF style format with 15 teams. Isn't Feb a little early for an event of this nature?

A couple of the intial articles on the event had the route heading up into the Sierra Nevadas around Tahoe. This doesn't seem real smart during February... Maybe I can snowshoe over from Reno to check out the action ;)

I live in San Luis Obisbo and the city has been meeting to discuss logistics etc., so It looks like it is coming...

I live in San Luis Obisbo and the city has been meeting to discuss logistics etc., so It looks like it is coming...

Is that near San Luis Obispo? ;)

I'd love to see this race take place!

Floyd Landis has the race on his schedule of 2006 races on his website.

Rumoured the race is sponsored by Amgen, makers of EPO.

Awesome.

Rumoured the race is sponsored by Amgen, makers of EPO.

Awesome.
EPO maker to back California Tour
By VeloNews Interactive
This report filed November 2, 2005
Rumors surrounding the rather unusual sponsorship of the upcoming Tour of California, appear to be true.

USA Today and other media are reporting that Tuesday's route announcement of February's Tour of California will also include the revelation of the race's title sponsor: AMGEN, the biotech firm that pioneered the manufacture of recombinant Erythropoietin, or EPO.

One of the most widely abused drugs in endurance sport, EPO has been at the heart of cycling's doping scandals since the early 1990s. The company, which boasts more than $2 billion in annual sales, says that its sponsorship is driven by its awareness of the inappropriate use of its product.

"We believe we have a responsibility to ensure that the medicines we develop are used properly," Amgen scientific director Steve Elliott told USA Today's Sal Ruibal.

Rumoured the race is sponsored by Amgen, makers of EPO.

Awesome.

Amgen will be passing out free samples, and their new spokesman will be there for autographs.

I live in San Luis Obisbo and the city has been meeting to discuss logistics etc., so It looks like it is coming...

I just checked this site out, http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/tour.html, and they have opportunities to volunteer if you're interested. I might sign up for stuff in the San Jose area.

I just checked this site out, http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/tour.html, and they have opportunities to volunteer if you're interested. I might sign up for stuff in the San Jose area.

That site also has a map of the planned route and quite a bit of other info. Worth a look for anyone interested in the event.

Silas

Well, the site now has a video of the press conference up as well. I'm really excited about this race, sounds like it will be a great early season event. The hyperbole got a little bit out of control though, they were saying this will be the greatest bike race in the world. Regardless, expect a good lineup of riders, nightly coverage on ESPN2, and my early pick for the win is Floyd. I think this race will live up to at least some of the hype.

Silas

Well, the site now has a video of the press conference up as well. I'm really excited about this race, sounds like it will be a great early season event. The hyperbole got a little bit out of control though, they were saying this will be the greatest bike race in the world. Regardless, expect a good lineup of riders, nightly coverage on ESPN2, and my early pick for the win is Floyd. I think this race will live up to at least some of the hype.

Silas

why no long climbing stages with all the great mountain riding i always hear about?

why no long climbing stages with all the great mountain riding i always hear about?

Mountains tend to have snow on them in Feb. Maybe someone from out that way can comment on that being the case or not for that general area of CA (are there any mountains around there).

why no long climbing stages with all the great mountain riding i always hear about?
February = snow. So no Sierras. Wise logistical call, plus you have to make it atttractive to Euro's - nobody's going to want to come to the US to do an early season race in the snow. They can stay in Europe and do that. I think the organizers' best chance of making the race work is billing it as the last of the warm-weather prep stage races - TdU, Langkawai, and then this. It's particularly attractive to the US riders who focus on TdF (Landis, Leipheimer, maybe Danielson this year) since they aren't looking for anything too taxing at that time of year but need racing miles.

February = snow. So no Sierras. Wise logistical call, plus you have to make it atttractive to Euro's - nobody's going to want to come to the US to do an early season race in the snow. They can stay in Europe and do that. I think the organizers' best chance of making the race work is billing it as the last of the warm-weather prep stage races - TdU, Langkawai, and then this. It's particularly attractive to the US riders who focus on TdF (Landis, Leipheimer, maybe Danielson this year) since they aren't looking for anything too taxing at that time of year but need racing miles.


as a casul observer, it would be more interesting with some degree of climbing. what about the euro climbers? theyd probably like a little limelight. of course, if its in february, with nothing else on tv even remotely cycling related, i'd watch them workout on their trainers if thats all i had.

Oh, there will be climbing I'm sure. No long alpine passes, but I could easily put together a route for Stage One from Sausalito to Santa Rosa that would have 10,000' climbing. I suspect the stage to San Jose will include Mt. Hamilton - there's a race that does just that part and has 6000' ascent. Also, I believe Santa Baraba has a few hills. No 17,000 TdF stages, but there will be some stuff for Saul Raisin to strut his stuff.

Hi all - I rarely post but this event has me excited enough to type something! I've lived in almost every area the race visits. I was a little disappointed that the rout doesn't go into the Sierra, but then I remembered I'll be skiing up there in February.

There will be plenty of mountains though. The coastal range is formidable and the whole race takes place with in it. There is a climb in Santa Rosa that Leipheimer has compared to some where in France. You have to climb no matter what to get from Martinez to San Jose. Santa Barbara has some serious stuff too. Anyway, I'm curious if or when a detailed map will be released. I can't wait to see the actual roads!

The whole santa cruz/monterey area is quite hilly. Heck, just follow Highway 1 down the coast and you will get a decent hilly ride. Too bad they passed on Napa as there are some sweet climbs that aren't long, but brutally steep.