The Amgen Tour of California returns to Sacramento for the ninth time on Saturday, May 19, and each year is more thrilling than the last. The 2018 festivities start with the men rolling out of Sacramento across the iconic Tower Bridge into West Sacramento. Only an hour after the men start, the women begin their final stage on the circuit. Sacramento has never failed to furnish one of the most exciting race finishes on the world tour, and 2018 will be no different!
In numerous ways, the Golden State’s capital and the Amgen Tour of California go hand in hand. The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race has come to Sacramento during each of its four years running. Similarly, the men’s race has visited the city nine times, more than any other host city. This year, the overall finish is on a Saturday and will, once again, include a Breakaway From Cancer Walk, Michelob Ultra VIP Tent and Lifestyle Festival.
Lifestyle Festival
The Lifestyle Festival will take place Saturday, May 19, during the race. It will feature a wide variety of food and drink, interactive displays and opportunities for guests to experience and purchase items from some of the leading brands in cycling including Trek, Oakley and many more.
Race Day Schedule
9 a.m. - Lifestyle Festival and Michelob Ultra VIP Open
10 a.m. - Men’s Start Ceremonies Begin
10:15 a.m. - Men’s Race Start
10:50 a.m. - Women’s Start Ceremonies Begin
11:05 a.m. - Women’s Race Start
12:40 p.m. - Women’s Race Finish (estimated)
1:30 p.m. - Men’s Race Finish (estimated)
3 p.m. - Lifestyle Festival and Michelob Ultra VIP Close
Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women's Race - Stage 3
Sacramento's Capitol Circuit has earned a reputation as one of the fastest and most technical courses in the country. This flat 2.2-mile course features six turns and some of the best cultural highlights that the city has to offer, from historical landmarks to trendy neighborhoods and of course the Capitol building itself. Whatever your preference, this stage of the Amgen Tour of California Women's Race promises to be 90 minutes of pure exhilaration. (click here for route map)
Amgen Tour of California Overall Men's Race Finish - Stage 7
The 2018 men's overall race finish starts with the men rolling out of Sacramento across the iconic Tower Bridge into West Sacramento. Once on the western bank of the Sacramento River, the tour traverses the rural roads of Yolo County into Woodland and Winters. Back in Sacramento, the peloton finishes on three laps of the Capitol circuit for a nail-biting finish. (click here for route map)
Breakaway From Cancer Rally
Amgen invites those touched by cancer – patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates – to participate in the 2018 Breakaway from Cancer Celebration, a pep rally that honors and celebrates cancer survivors as part of Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer, a national initiative founded in 2005 to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer. Register for the rally here.
Where to Park
Sacramento street parking in the city is free on Saturdays in many areas (except for Old Sacramento). Pay attention to posted parking signs to be sure. Parking lots and garages will still require payments. There are several city lots in downtown Sacramento and other pay lots in the area.
For spectators riding their bikes to the event, a free bike valet by Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates presented by Sutter Health will be set up near the corner of N and 10th streets on Saturday, May 19.
Click here for a city parking map.
