Amgen tour of California 2012

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USA cyclo-cross national championship course preview

  • Riders will start out on a long stretch of pavement that is sure to be blisteringly fast.

    Riders will start out on a long stretch of pavement that is sure to be blisteringly fast.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Another set of S-bends snakes up and down the same embankment.

    Another set of S-bends snakes up and down the same embankment.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The race course then heads back down for a second pass through the pit area.

    The race course then heads back down for a second pass through the pit area.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • After doubling back on the initial section of dirt, racers will head right and back across the pavement.

    After doubling back on the initial section of dirt, racers will head right and back across the pavement.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Skilled riders will be rocketing through this slightly banked downhill bend.

    Skilled riders will be rocketing through this slightly banked downhill bend.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Racers will be redlined heading up the stairs.

    Racers will be redlined heading up the stairs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Speeds will slow to a crawl as racers negotitate the tight hairpin shortly after the exit of the stairs.

    Speeds will slow to a crawl as racers negotitate the tight hairpin shortly after the exit of the stairs.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One set of double barriers await the racers as they approach the beer garden.

    One set of double barriers await the racers as they approach the beer garden.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Racers will get a brief respite from the tight corners-

    Racers will get a brief respite from the tight corners-

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • -but only just before hitting the run-up, which is likely to be very slippery come Sunday.

    -but only just before hitting the run-up, which is likely to be very slippery come Sunday.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Another right-hand turn brings the course back on to pavement.

    Another right-hand turn brings the course back on to pavement.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • One more right-hander to negotiate-

    One more right-hander to negotiate-

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • -and then it's a straight shot to the finish line.

    -and then it's a straight shot to the finish line.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Ground conditions were so hard that course workers had to use construction drills to place course markers.

    Ground conditions were so hard that course workers had to use construction drills to place course markers.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Racers will likely want to scrub some speed before heading down this steep chute as there's a quick right-hander immediately following.

    Racers will likely want to scrub some speed before heading down this steep chute as there's a quick right-hander immediately following.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This step-up may prove interesting There's a smooth line to rider's right but we anticipate most racers will attack it head-on.

    This step-up may prove interesting There's a smooth line to rider's right but we anticipate most racers will attack it head-on.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Riders then will descend into a set of fast sweeping turns.

    Riders then will descend into a set of fast sweeping turns.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Don't let this official course map fool you. While the race route roughly follows the prescribed path, the actual course is far curvier than depicted here and includes numerous elevation changes.

    Don't let this official course map fool you. While the race route roughly follows the prescribed path, the actual course is far curvier than depicted here and includes numerous elevation changes.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • After the first stretch of pavement, riders will make an abrupt left on to the dirt and up a short rise-

    After the first stretch of pavement, riders will make an abrupt left on to the dirt and up a short rise-

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • -before making another left and rocketing back downhill-

    -before making another left and rocketing back downhill-

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • -and making their pass through the pit area.

    -and making their pass through the pit area.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • As of Thursday morning, this is what most of the course looked like with hardpacked and choppy snow over completely frozen ground.

    As of Thursday morning, this is what most of the course looked like with hardpacked and choppy snow over completely frozen ground.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • After passing through the pits, racers then sweep uphill into a wooded section.

    After passing through the pits, racers then sweep uphill into a wooded section.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • Portions of the course are actually snow-free on account of either heavy traffic or being sheltered beneath trees but they're the exception, not the norm.

    Portions of the course are actually snow-free on account of either heavy traffic or being sheltered beneath trees but they're the exception, not the norm.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • In contrast to the course map, racers will negotitate a tight lollipop section shortly after entering the woods.

    In contrast to the course map, racers will negotitate a tight lollipop section shortly after entering the woods.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The race course then takes a sharp right, roughly following the adjacent Columbia Street.

    The race course then takes a sharp right, roughly following the adjacent Columbia Street.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • At the end of this stretch lies a sharp 180-degree hairpin turn, followed almost immediately by another left hander.

    At the end of this stretch lies a sharp 180-degree hairpin turn, followed almost immediately by another left hander.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • This slight rise is more off-camber and slippery than the image would suggest. A carefully selected entry will be key.

    This slight rise is more off-camber and slippery than the image would suggest. A carefully selected entry will be key.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The course is littered with steep ups and downs like this, which should make for excellent spectating.

    The course is littered with steep ups and downs like this, which should make for excellent spectating.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • The mid-section of the lap features another fast straightaway in before heading into a series of technical S-bends.

    The mid-section of the lap features another fast straightaway in before heading into a series of technical S-bends.

    Photo credit © James Huang

  • If this pavement looks icy, that's because it is.

    If this pavement looks icy, that's because it is.

    Photo credit © James Huang