Sacramento, CA - Sacramento will host the Stage 2 finish of the most important and popular cycling race on U.S. soil. The 2011 Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations. The race is comprised of 19 teams including HTC-Highroad, the most successful team with more than 400 wins since 2008 and featuring Matthew Goss. Also competing is three-time champion Levi Leipheimer's team, Team RadioShack, as well as Team Garmin-Cervelo, Team Saxo Bank, Team NetApp from Germany and Movistar Team from Colombia.
The eight-day race from May 15-22, 2011 will take the world's top professional cycling teams through miles of beautiful terrain from the start at Lake Tahoe to the overall finish in Thousand Oaks, the hometown of AMGEN tour presenter AEG.
Sacramento Race Day activities include a Lifestyle Festival near the State Capitol, a Breakaway from Cancer walk and a community ride with Mayor Kevin Johnson along the actual route the racers will ride that afternoon. Thousands of cycling enthusiasts are expected to line the route around the California State Capitol building to cheer on the world-class racers when they enter the downtown circuit around 3:15pm. Race finish is expected around 3:30pm at 11th and L Street with the awards ceremony immediately following.
"The opportunity to host AMGEN for the fifth straight year is something we look forward to with tremendous excitement," said Steve Hammond, president and CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Not only will this event bring a substantial economic boost to this community, it allows us to foster community pride by showcasing Sacramento on a world stage and bringing some of the world's best athletes to our city."
The Amgen Tour is a great reason to extend your Sacramento weekend and take advantage of the Sacramento Gold Card which offers savings at attractions, restaurants and retail establishments. For more information about 2011 Amgen Tour activities in Sacramento visit: www.discovergold.org
