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2016 Tour of California 2.HC May 15-22

Mar 14, 2009
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Intro Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7PoKUwi7ds


Men's Teams
The eight-stage men’s event will feature 18 of the world’s most decorated and esteemed teams competing for one of the sport’s most coveted titles.

Top UCI WorldTour teams and riders will include Tinkoff (RUS), whose renowned sprinter Peter Sagan (SVK) proved his all-around excellence to win the 2015 Amgen Tour of California by the closest margin in its history (3 seconds), narrowly defeating young Ardennes Classic sensation Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) of Etixx – Quick-Step, who is also returning this year; rival sprinter Mark Cavendish (GBR), who returns to California having won four stages last year, this time riding for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka in its inaugural season as a UCI WorldTour team; and Santa Rosa, Calif.-based BMC Racing Team, a 9-time participant. BMC Racing Team will be led by Rohan Dennis (AUS), a favorite for this year’s Folsom Time Trial – last year he won the first leader’s jersey of the 2015 Tour de France after recording the fastest average speed in race history, 55.446 km/hr.


STAGE 1 - SUNDAY, MAY 15
START: SKI BEACH, SAN DIEGO – 11:30 AM
DISTANCE: 108.7 mi / 175 km
SPRINT(S): Imperial Beach, Navajo Rd
KOM(S): Honey Springs
FINISH: QUIVIRA WAY, SAN DIEGO – 3:45 PM

The first day of racing will begin and end in first-time host city San Diego, the birthplace of California and the state's second largest city. A natural fit for the nation's premier cycling race, San Diego features a vibrant beach-oriented community whose residents are passionate about living a healthy lifestyle.

The peloton will depart Mission Bay traveling through Balboa Park before heading south toward downtown and the harbor with views of the historic Gaslamp District and Coronado Bridge.

The race's first Visit California Sprint will take place in bike-friendly Imperial Beach before heading east toward the rolling hills of East County. With only one Lexus King of the Mountain point on Honey Springs Road, fans can expect a fast finish as the riders race west back to the coast.

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STAGE 2 - MONDAY, MAY 16
START: SOUTH PASADENA – 12:05 PM
DISTANCE: 92.3 mi / 148.5 km
SPRINT(S): Oro Vista Ave, Placerita Canyon Rd
KOM(S): Angeles Crest Hwy, Upper Big Tujunga
Canyon Rd, Little Tujunga Canyon Rd (2)
FINISH: SANTA CLARITA – 3:45 PM

Stage 2 will begin in new host city South Pasadena, known for its historic homes, charming tree-lined streets and proximity to Rose Bowl Stadium.

Despite being a sprinter's finish, the profile on the way to Santa Clarita is filled with long gradual climbs that could take a toll on the sprinters' legs. Riders will face several Lexus King of the Mountain points in the Angeles National Forest including Highway 2, Big Tujunga and Little Tujunga Canyon. Throughout the route, riders will see numerous historic California bridges and tunnels.

Santa Clarita, host to the most stages in race history (12), will welcome the riders for a wide, flat finish in downtown Newhall.

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STAGE 3 - TUESDAY, MAY 17
START: THOUSAND OAKS – 11:15 AM
DISTANCE: 104.1 mi / 167.5 km
SPRINT(S): Port Hueneme, Carpinteria
KOM(S): Potrero Rd, Westlake Blvd,
Lake Casitas, Gibraltar Rd
FINISH: SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – 3:45 PM

Stage 3 has been 11 years in the making and is the day every general classification rider will have circled on their calendar. The challenging Queen Stage will begin in Thousand Oaks, home to biotechnology company Amgen, the race's title sponsor since its inception. This area is a popular training ground for professional and weekend cyclists alike. Riders will leave Thousand Oaks and quickly descend to the cool breeze of the Pacific Coast Highway.

After traversing the flat strawberry fields of Oxnard and Ventura, the peloton will roll through the undulating terrain of Lake Casitas, Carpinteria and Montecito.

With approximately 6 miles to go, the profile will turn upward on Gibraltar Road, a beautiful twisting mountain road with an 8% average grade. Fans and teams have long requested a finish here, and road conditions have finally made it possible this year. With each turn toward what is sure to be an epic finish, the peloton will experience magnificent views of Santa Barbara and the beach below.

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STAGE 4 - WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
START: MORRO BAY – 10:10 AM
DISTANCE: 134.8 mi / 217 km
SPRINT(S): Hearst Castle, Carmel Highlands
KOM(S): CA-1 (3), Laureles Grade, Laguna Seca
FINISH: MONTEREY COUNTY AT MAZDA
RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA – 3:45 PM

Stage 4 will feature several race "firsts" including the inaugural journey north up Pacific Coast Highway from new waterfront host city Morro Bay, which will showcase its natural beauty to the world.

Riders will roll out from the iconic Morro Rock and head north along California's most famous coastline, passing windswept beaches and a dynamic estuary. For the next 100 miles, there are no turns as riders head north through coastal Cambria, over Big Sur's famous Bixby Bridge and through Carmel-By-The-Sea en route to Monterey County.

The road to the marine-life oriented region of Monterey will be long with possible headwinds but also boundless beauty. Monterey was originally a fishing village, and today is one of the most visited areas in California and home to the world-famous Pebble Beach and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

With several short, steep climbs in the final five miles, this course could favor riders with quick bursts of power like last year's race champion Peter Sagan (SVK). After 133 miles, expect a select group at the front to take a lap on the first racecourse finish in race history - the famously technical Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, a venue known worldwide for motorsports competitions.

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STAGE 5 - THURSDAY, MAY 19
START: LODI – 10:00 AM
DISTANCE: 131.7 mi / 212 km
SPRINT(S): Sutter Hill, Luther Pass
KOM(S): Kirkwood, Carson Pass,
South Lake Tahoe
FINISH: SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – 3:45 PM

tage 5 will usher riders from the beautiful vineyards of Lodi to a long gradual ascent to an uphill finish in South Lake Tahoe, reaching a peak elevation of 8,600 feet - the highest in race history. The ride, essentially a 130-mile climb that gains in elevation from 50 feet to 6,650 at the finish, will showcase California's diversity, from the rich soil of the Central Valley to the mighty peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

This stage will be similar to Big Bear Lake stages of years past with plenty of climbing over the long route through national forest and wilderness areas. Upon reaching South Lake Tahoe, a short steep climb up Ski Run Boulevard will deliver the cyclists to the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

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STAGE 6 - FRIDAY, MAY 20
INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL
START / FINISH: FOLSOM
DISTANCE: 12.6 mi / 20.3 km
First Men’s Individual Start: 12:50 PM
Last Men’s Individual Finish: 3:45 PM

In 2014, time trial specialists Bradley Wiggins, Rohan Dennis, and Taylor Phinney took podium honors. In 2016, the 12.6-mile out and back course returns to Historic Downtown Folsom.

In a town made famous by musician Johnny Cash, cycling now takes center stage, with the course passing beneath the recently constructed Johnny Cash Bike Trail Bridge. Folsom residents enjoy a healthy lifestyle and will be lining up to see the next time trial winner show off their best race against the clock.

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STAGE 7 - SATURDAY, MAY 21
START: SANTA ROSA – 11:10 AM
DISTANCE: 109.1 mi / 175.5 km
SPRINT(S): Cazadero, Carmet Beach
KOM(S): Harrison Grade Rd, King Ridge (2),
Hauser Bridge Rd, Seaview Rd,
Coleman Valley Rd
FINISH: SANTA ROSA – 3:45 PM

tage 7 will begin and end in longtime host city Santa Rosa in the heart of Sonoma County wine county, one of the many fantastic viticulture hot beds the race will pass through this year. It will cover some of the same territory as the popular annual Levi's GranFondo event.

The course will be rolling throughout with four Lexus King of the Mountain points along King Ridge Road, Pacific Coast Highway and Coleman Valley Road. These country roads through redwoods, coastline and forests will keep the peloton attentive with the feeling of riding on the edge of a continent.

With a crucial time trial the day prior, this penultimate stage in the general classification competition will most likely feature aggressive racing and a small group vying on the downtown circuits of the flat finish.

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STAGE 8 - SUNDAY, MAY 22
START: SACRAMENTO – 11:15 AM
DISTANCE: 85.7 mi / 138 km
SPRINT(S): Clarksburg, Finish Line

The capital city of California has hosted the Amgen Tour of California Overall Start for the past two years as well as individual stage finishes; 2016 will bring its first Overall Finish. This sports-crazed city is thriving with a new stadium under construction and several national sporting events taking place throughout the year.

The course will travel along the Sacramento River and cross Tower Bridge twice before returning downtown where fans will anxiously wait along the traditional finish circuits around the Capitol building.

Last year was the closest men's race finish ever with general classification champion Peter Sagan winning by a mere 3 seconds after earning an intermediate sprint time bonus and bonus seconds on the final stage sprint. What excitement will this year's final race day hold?

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AXEON - HAGENS BERMAN
BARTA William United States
CURRAN Geoffrey United States
DANIEL Gregory United States
GEOGHEGAN HART Tao United Kingdom
GUERREIRO Ruben Portugal
NEILANDS Krists Latvia
OWEN Logan United States
POWLESS Neilson United States

BMC RACING TEAM
BOOKWALTER Brent United States
DENNIS Rohan Australia
DRUCKER Jean Pierre Luxembourg
PHINNEY Taylor United States
SANCHEZ GONZALEZ Samuel Spain
SCHÄR Michael Switzerland
VAN AVERMAET Greg Belgium
WYSS Danilo Switzerland

CANNONDALE PRO CYCLING TEAM
BEVIN Patrick New Zealand
CRADDOCK Lawson United States
GAIMON Phillip United States
KING Benjamin United States
MARANGONI Alan Italy
SKUJINS Toms Latvia
TALANSKY Andrew United States
WIPPERT Wouter Netherlands

DIMENSION DATA
BRAMMEIER Matthew Ireland
CAVENDISH Mark United Kingdom
EISEL Bernhard Austria
FARRAR Tyler United States
HAAS Nathan Australia
JANSE VAN RENSBURG Jacques South Africa
RENSHAW Mark Australia
TEKLEHAYMANOT Daniel Eritrea

DIRECT ENERGIE
ANDERSON Ryan Canada
COQUARD Bryan France
DUCHESNE Antoine Canada
JEANDESBOZ Fabrice France
NAULEAU Bryan France
PETIT Adrien France
SICARD Romain France
TULIK Angelo France

ETIXX - QUICK STEP
ALAPHILIPPE Julian France
BOONEN Tom Belgium
BOUET Maxime France
CONTRERAS PINZON Rodrigo Colombia
MAES Nikolas Belgium
STYBAR Zdenek Czech Republic
VAKOC Petr Czech Republic
VELITS Martin Slovakia

HOLOWESKO / CITADEL P/B HINCAPIE SPORTSWEAR
CARPENTER Robin United States
CLARK Oscar United States
FLAKSIS Andzs Latvia
HORNBECK Jonathan United States
KRASILNIKAU Andrei Belarus
LEWIS Joseph Australia
MCCABE Travis United States
SQUIRE Rob United States

JELLY BELLY P/B MAXXIS
CHEYNE Jordan Canada
MORTON Angus Australia
MORTON Lachlan David Australia
PUTT Christopher United States
RATHE Jacob United States
SHEEHAN Michael United States
SHELDEN Taylor United States
WOLFE Ben United States

RALLY CYCLING
ANTHONY Jesse United States
BRITTON Rob Canada
DE VOS Adam Canada
HUFFMAN Evan United States
NAUD Pierrick Canada
ORONTE Emerson United States
PATE Danny United States
ROUTLEY Will Canada

TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN
ANDERSEN Søren Kragh Denmark
CURVERS Roy Netherlands
DE KORT Koen Netherlands
DEGENKOLB John Germany
FAIRLY Caleb United States
SINKELDAM Ramon Netherlands
SKJOESTAD LUNKE Sindre Norway
TEN DAM Laurens Netherlands

TEAM KATUSHA
GUARNIERI Jacopo Italy
HALLER Marco Austria
ISAYCHEV Vladimir Russia
KRISTOFF Alexander Norway
MACHADO Tiago Portugal
MORKOV Michael Denmark
RESTREPO VALENCIA Jhonatan Colombia
VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen Belgium

TEAM LOTTO NL - JUMBO
BENNETT George New Zealand
GROENEWEGEN Dylan Netherlands
LEEZER Tom Netherlands
ROOSEN Timo Netherlands
TEUNISSEN Mike Netherlands
VERMEULEN Alexey United States
WAGNER Robert Germany
WYNANTS Maarten Belgium

TEAM NOVO NORDISK
CLANCY Stephen Ireland
HENTTALA Joonas Finland
LOZANO RIBA David Spain
MEJIAS LEAL Javier Spain
PERON Andrea Italy
PLANET Charles France
VERSCHOOR Martijn Netherlands
WILLIAMS Christopher Australia

TEAM SKY
FENN Andrew United Kingdom
KENNAUGH Peter United Kingdom
KIRYIENKA Vasil Belarus
MOSCON Gianni Italy
NORDHAUG Lars Petter Norway
PETERS Alex United Kingdom
VAN POPPEL Danny Netherlands
ZANDIO ECHAIDE Xabier Spain

TEAM WIGGINS
WIGGINS Bradley United Kingdom
Mark Christian
Jonathan Dibben
Owain Doull
Samuel Harrison
Liam Holohan
Christopher Latham
Andrew Tennant



TINKOFF TEAM
BASKA Erik Slovakia
BLYTHE Adam United Kingdom
GATTO Oscar Italy
GOGL Michael Austria
KOLAR Michal Slovakia
SAGAN Juraj Slovakia
SAGAN Peter Slovakia
TRUSOV Nikolai Russia

TREK FACTORY RACING
ARREDONDO MORENO Julian Colombia
BERNARD Julien France
BONIFAZIO Niccolo Italy
IRIZAR ARANBURU Markel Basque Country
REIJNEN Kiel United States
STETINA Peter United States
STUYVEN Jasper Belgium
ZUBELDIA AGIRRE Haimar Basque Country

UNITEDHEALTHCARE PRO CYCLING TEAM
BRAJKOVIC Janez Slovenia
CANOLA Marco Italy
CLARKE Jonathan Australia
EATON Daniel United States
JARAMILLO DIEZ Daniel Alexander Colombia
MURPHY John United States
PUTT Tanner United States
 
Craddock FTW!

Ridiculously strong sprinting field. Degenkolb, Kristoff, Sagan, Cavendish, Coquard, Groenewegen, Wippert, Van Poppel, Swift and few others. Maybe even better than the Giro sprinting field.

Stage 4 really interesting and a bit un-Tour of California-like.
 
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Krokro said:
Team BMC line up delivers. Huge TT potential. If Dennis or Sanchez can hang on in mountains they could win this ?

I have a feeling that if Van den Broeck still has the TT skills from last year, and if he can finally tart to climb well this year, he should be a serious contender too.
 
Anderis said:
Craddock FTW!

Ridiculously strong sprinting field. Degenkolb, Kristoff, Sagan, Cavendish, Coquard, Groenewegen, Wippert, Van Poppel, Swift and few others. Maybe even better than the Giro sprinting field.

Stage 4 really interesting and a bit un-Tour of California-like.

I'm curious to see what Coquard can do against this field. He seems to have taken it up a level this year. He missed some big early races because of injury but since then has racked up a lot of victories in smaller races like the 4 Days of Dunkirk.
 
Nov 16, 2011
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While Wiggins will put in a smashing time trial and do okay in the mountain stage, he would have to stay really close to the sprint finishes to prevent being gapped. Not sure he will want to risk himself in a field with a lot of juniors dangerously skirting around.
 
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orangerider said:
While Wiggins will put in a smashing time trial and do okay in the mountain stage, he would have to stay really close to the sprint finishes to prevent being gapped. Not sure he will want to risk himself in a field with a lot of juniors dangerously skirting around.

I would be shocked if Wiggins did anything significant here. He seems to have no desire to do well on the road. It's all about the track.
 
Jun 30, 2014
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BigMac said:
Digging the parcours. Going with Lawson as well.
Me too.
Kennaugh's form doesn't seem to be really good, I don't think that he'll be a contender.
Brent Bookwalter could surprise people, but if Samu Sánchez is still in great shape he could win the race.