Tour of California announces 2007 route details

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Specific route and race details for the 650-mile, eight-day 2007 Amgen Tour of California stage race...

Specific route and race details for the 650-mile, eight-day 2007 Amgen Tour of California stage race were announced Wednesday. The first US ProTour race of the season will be held February 18 - 25 and will cover a course from San Francisco to Long Beach, California. Sixteen pro teams are expected to compete in the second year event

The 2007 race will feature a longer, more challenging route. Major changes include a shift in the time trial stage from San Jose to Solvang and to later in the race (from Stage 3 to Stage 5). Stages 2 and 6 are also longer than in 2006.

A scenic start through several Sonoma County wineries will quickly turn into one of the most significant climbs of the race as the peloton heads east en route to Sacramento. Twelve miles from the start, Trinity Road's vertical climbs and treacherous decent into the wineries of Napa Valley will make it one of the most difficult climbs of the entire race. Continuing east past Lake Berryessa, the peloton will head through Davis. With a quick turn to the north, the route will follow the Sacramento River to the well-known Tower Bridge and on to the Capitol Mall. The stage concludes with three circuits through downtown, finishing on the front step of California's Capitol Building, a good viewing location.

After a neutral start with parade laps through Stockton's revitalized downtown area, the peloton will head west through California's farm lands. Then after passing through Tracy, the riders will encounter a climb new to this year's race, Patterson Pass. The route will pass through the city of Livermore and connect to the familiar roads of the last year's Stage 2 route on Calaveras Road. This long, constant grade leads to the most difficult climb of the race, the Category One Sierra Road climb in San Jose. After completing this KOM (King of the Mountain) competition, the peloton will finish the 94.6-mile course in front of San Jose City Hall.

The remarkable views of stage four will make it a favorite for riders and spectators alike. Beginning in Seaside with a short neutral lap and traveling along a similar route to last year's Stage 4, the peloton will head south on scenic Highway 1 where the mountains and redwood forests flank the Pacific Ocean. At more than 130 miles and with three KOMs, this is the longest stage of the race and will test the riders on consistently hilly and technical terrain. The six-hour day will take the riders through Big Sur and by Hearst Castle before shifting inland toward the finish at the intersection of Osos and Monterey in San Luis Obispo.

Known for hosting some of the ProTour teams for their training camps, Solvang is the site of Stage 5. At 14.5-miles, and with the start and finish located only two blocks apart, Stage 5 is spectator friendly. The route will highlight some of the most beautiful areas and towns of central California, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms, and one short, but steep climb. This year's time trial is shorter, flatter, and faster.

Sue George

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.