Amgen Tour of California

[Widowmaker2k]

Anybody follow cycling at all? I was out at the prologue today, and it was a blast seeing Levi, Floyd, Lance, and George Hincapie race, even if they didn't win. Despite only being in its fourth year, it's quickly gaining popularity and acceptance as a premier tour (already recognized as the greatest bike race in the United States). Most of the big names were there today, as were an estimated 100,000 onlookers. Anyways, I'm rooting for Levi to three-peat, as he's from Santa Rosa and this isn't really Lance's race.

 

[kingsnation]

Not too much, no. Usually on the Tour De France, But I do live in a very heavy cycling area (near SF State.) I'd be interested in watching...How long and how far is the tour??

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Not too much, no. Usually on the Tour De France, But I do live in a very heavy cycling area (near SF State.) I'd be interested in watching...How long and how far is the tour??

This, the fourth Tour of California, will last nine days and cover 780 miles. It's Lance Armstrong's first major race in his return to pro-cycling, but he is expected to play the role of domestique to Levi Leipheimer, who trains specifically for this race (the favor will be returned, however, for the Tour De France, which Lance specifically trains for). Watching the prologue on Versus, the commentators couldn't stop talking about the support for the race and the amount of world class talent racing in it, citing it as a top three race in all of cycling.
Being that the Tour of California is only in its fourth year, and is already attracting the best cyclists in the world, it is looked at as an up in comer, and will likely soon be held in the same regard internationally as the Giro De Italia, Tour D'espana, and Tour De France. This year it is expected to create $100,000,000 in revenue for the state of California. In 1986 (the year I was born), Greg Lemond became the first American to win the Tour De France, and since then, cycling has taken off to become a major sport in this country, with the Amgen Tour of California as its premier race. Even if you don't care about cycling, the race is watched internationally and makes for a great marketing tool for our home state, and features the city of Sacramento (being the capital and all) very prominently.

 

[6th]

Anybody follow cycling at all? I was out at the prologue today, and it was a blast seeing Levi, Floyd, Lance, and George Hincapie race, even if they didn't win. Despite only being in its fourth year, it's quickly gaining popularity and acceptance as a premier tour (already recognized as the greatest bike race in the United States). Most of the big names were there today, as were an estimated 100,000 onlookers. Anyways, I'm rooting for Levi to three-peat, as he's from Santa Rosa and this isn't really Lance's race.

W2k, can you give us the schedule, etc for the race? I admit that I'm too lazy to look it up. A link to all the info would be fine. Thanks!!

 

[Widowmaker2k]

The race is covered on the Versus network (ex-OLN). Here's a link to their scheduled air times: http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/28927/?UserDef=true&catID=76

And, here's a link to the Tour's website, showing race details, updated standings, etc.: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/ If you have broadband I'd reccomend checking out their tour tracker, http://tracker.amgentourofcalifornia.com/, it's got a lot of great information about the course, race updates, detailed play by play, and multimedia content.

 

[6th]

Thank you!!!

 

[Monty'sBiggestFan]

I watched, in person, the stage that rolled through downtown last year. If the weather wasn't ugly and I didn't have another obligation yesterday I would have been out for the prologue yesterday and in Davis today. TV doesnt really do the power of cyclists justice.

 

[GeorgeofSacramento]

A family emergency locked us up this weekend, otherwise, I'd loved to have been there to see this magnificent event.

 

[Gary]

Mountain bike fan, but don't watch either on TV. It's just not a good TV sport.

 

[Widowmaker2k]

Congratulations to Levi Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa resident, for winning his 3rd strait Tour of California. Lance was 7th I believe, and fellow American David Zabriskie, was 2nd.