Official: Tour of California route announcement

[grimpeur]

This route is a dud. With a May date, I expected some high mountains. In regards to Stapleton, Michael Barry already proved he's a D-bag...

 

[issoisso]

BTW, I understand cyclingnews.com is anglo-american, and that it in a sense has the responsability to hype up US racing. But "Hasta la vista Giro?" seems a bit premature. Most probably consider the Giro to be the 2nd most prestigious stage race after the TdF, and I personally think they'll survive the loss of RadioShack's geriatric squad as participants. I also doubt that a lot of top Euro riders who aren't interested in riding the Giro will got to California. It's 8 time zones away, tough course where you'll have to be at your best to contend, as well as a time trial in LA (which i doubt is easy on the lungs). It's less than three weeks after the Ardennes classics torture period. I imagine the Schlecks, the Gesinks, the Cadels of the world who will want to be competitive in the classics but also ride the Tour can't afford to invest the energy in California.

The simple undeniable fact is that cyclingnews, as great information and depth as it provides, constantly makes these kinds of outlandish statements about anglophone riders, teams and races. It's the way it goes. Just try to shrug it off (I know it can be hard)

EDIT: I mean both website articles and forum members, just to clear that up

 

[Publicus]

Why are they mutually exclusive? I mean the Giro will be in the usual time, usually finishing between 5-6pm CET and I imgine the ToC will finish maybe a bit sooner in the afternoon PST. I don't see how both couldn't be watched.

Both won't necessarily be broadcasted in the states. Versus will send its cameras wherever Lance is racing and it will be in HD (which in this day and age is a big deal to those of us with HD set ups). Universal is trying to crack Versus' strangle-hold on the cycling market, so I'm hopeful that they step up and bid for the race and broadcast it here in the states.

 

[Publicus]

In reading the responses to the ToC route announcement, Columbia's Stapleton proclaims that the ToC has to now be considered a "grand tour" along with the Tour and the Giro.????? I'm certain this is just his way of hyping the event but it to me is disrespectful to the Vuelta and pretty much hurdles such established weeklong races that to me have much more prestige, history and challenging routes like the Dauphine, Paris-Nice, Tour de Swiss, and Tour of the Basque Country. It's no wonder some of the Euro's keep bashing anything American.

On a happier note, congrats Alpe on your new role as moderator. If I get out of line feel free to pm me and let me know...instead of banning me!

That's just asinine. He knows it and should be ridiculed relentlessly for the remainder of his days for even making such a statement.

 

[noflyzone_allstars]

A few notes about the "new" stages at the end:

Stage 6 will not include the climb to Mt. Baldy ski lifts. It's an awesome climb but it dead ends in a dirt parking lot with a couple porta potties and it's in an entirely different mountain range than Big Bear.

This "Queen Stage" (route rumor: http://www.bikemap.net/route/340645?125623319557230#lt=34.25324&ln=-117.12387&z=11&t=0) will have a ton of climbing but generally not that steep. In fact a lot of rolling sections up the last climb and several miles of flat into the finish.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Big Bear stage is one of those over-hyped, under-dramatic days where guys watch each other and save it for the next day's TT and the final day which sounds like it could be more selective and decisive.

On the last day, Decker Canyon is 1600+ vertical feet at 7% and the finishing circuits are said to include "Rock Store Hill" which is about 900 vertical feet and probably around 6%. These are my home roads and that would be a brutal race, great for attacking and horrible for organizing a chase.

 

[krebs303]

Are you guys sure they are riding up Mt. Baldy? I haven't seen route details, but I don't see it named anywhere. Plus, it's some 60 miles away to the west from Big Bear Lake. My speculation is that the climb to Big Bear doesn't go near it, but I could be wrong. I'm also pretty sure that Baldy is not a pass, so it would have to be a MT finish. I'd love it if it's in the TOC, but I don't see it anywhere on the map.

oops sorry been in mexico too long. my mistake it is big bear lake not baldy

 

[titan_90]

I'll be watching my favourite race of the season the Giro

I think that moving the date was stupid. Even though is was a pre-season race they had big names there, all that will be there now will be American riders, yawn.

 

[Mellow Velo]

So, the logical progression being, in 2011, (with PT status )the Tour of Cali becomes bigger than the Tour of France, n'est ce pas?

You poor sods.
Stuck with overkill coverage of Team Bathchair and this minor event, while the rest of us get the Giro.
Our biggest headache is finding the time to watch the leftovers, each evening, having had the afternoon watching the big race.

 

[**Uru**]

I would imagine we will be seeing two races in May. If 2009 is a yard stick. VS will have ToC and barely broadcast the race in HD. Universal will completely broadcast the Giro in less than standard definition.

 

[soOpOSMthanks!]

jajajajajaja, ToC to be considered a grand tour? ****ing please.

as for giro coverage, i'm sure it wont be a problem. ok, so maybe the ToC could possibly be brodcasted a bit more. but it wont take over the Giro's airwaves. I see it as Versus covering the ToC while Universal covers the Giro. I can only hope though

 

[Publicus]

I would imagine we will be seeing two races in May. If 2009 is a yard stick. VS will have ToC and barely broadcast the race in HD. Universal will completely broadcast the Giro in less than standard definition.

That's what I'm not looking forward to seeing. Poor signal on a HD tv is an ugly sight to see.

 

[lagartija]

I'll be watching my favourite race of the season the Giro

I think that moving the date was stupid. Even though is was a pre-season race they had big names there, all that will be there now will be American riders, yawn.

i have a friend that works in the la city council office (really strong rider by the way) he personally met with messik and the TOC peeps , they told my friend they knew going in with the may date "they would lose all the italians".......
and some other potential big names , but they felt it was still an american event,..... and most americans probably dont know a thor from a boonen and probably dont care......according to what i heard as long as the BIG americane names came to play they felt it would be a success
now if your thinking pro tour event in the future that line of reasoning just doesnt make sense.........or is it in fact just a bussness and the bottom line is the only determining factor for AEG

 

[red_flanders]

schwarzenegger,
Great news for American cycling fans and CA. The 2010 Amgen Tour of California will be better than ever. @lancearmstrong will you join us?

lancearmstrong
1. Absolutely! @schwarzenegger, I've decided to ride the #Amgen Tour of California in 2010. Can't wait. What about you @levileipheimer??

LeviLeipheimer
1. I'll definitely be racing the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. Defending my title. @ghincapie

ghincapie
1. There are 8 great reasons to love the Amgen Tour of California. Guys?? @lancearmstrong, @LeviLeipheimer, @dzabriskie1 minute ago from web
2. I will be riding the 2010 Amgen Tour of California as national road champ, wearing the stars and stripes…. How about you @dzabriskie?

dzabriskie
1. 2010 Amgen Tour of California - I will be there as national time trial champ.

Great. Any notable European pros going? I mean yeah, great American contingent even if they're all older than dirt, but...

 

[soOpOSMthanks!]

Great. Any notable European pros going? I mean yeah, great American contingent even if they're all older than dirt, but...

I'm sure there will be, I just dont see a strong heavy hitting field as say, last year.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I assume rabobank will ride again. Can expect both gesink and mollema to be there.

And maybe saxo will go again... spartacus? Liquigas ?

 

[Anonymous]

A few notes about the "new" stages at the end:

Stage 6 will not include the climb to Mt. Baldy ski lifts. It's an awesome climb but it dead ends in a dirt parking lot with a couple porta potties and it's in an entirely different mountain range than Big Bear.

This "Queen Stage" (route rumor: http://www.bikemap.net/route/340645?125623319557230#lt=34.25324&ln=-117.12387&z=11&t=0) will have a ton of climbing but generally not that steep. In fact a lot of rolling sections up the last climb and several miles of flat into the finish.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Big Bear stage is one of those over-hyped, under-dramatic days where guys watch each other and save it for the next day's TT and the final day which sounds like it could be more selective and decisive.

On the last day, Decker Canyon is 1600+ vertical feet at 7% and the finishing circuits are said to include "Rock Store Hill" which is about 900 vertical feet and probably around 6%. These are my home roads and that would be a brutal race, great for attacking and horrible for organizing a chase.

I don't think this is quite right. The City of Big Bear is on the south side of the lake. The map shows the stage finishing in Fawnskin. There is not much there and I can't think of how there could be an uphill finish as it is pretty flat.

 

[ridley]

Just wondering since when did an eight day tour all of a sudden became a 'Grand Tour'?

 

[red_flanders]

I'm sure there will be, I just dont see a strong heavy hitting field as say, last year.

Will be a shame. The field, not the course, has always been the pull for me.

 

[Mellow Velo]

I assume rabobank will ride again. Can expect both gesink and mollema to be there.

And maybe saxo will go again... spartacus? Liquigas ?

But will they?
It's not in an ideal slot for Tour prep.
Marketing/Sponors?
In theory, the guys who ride Catalunya would be available, but they are mostly Spanish and French.
Would Valverde travel?

 

[BeachBum]

This route is a dud. With a May date, I expected some high mountains.

Agree 100%. The 1st two words I thought of when I saw this 'announcement' were: Epic. Fail. Anyone who thinks that this rehash of every other ToC = GT is insane or has been paid off. It's not a GT, it's a Corpo Tour. Let's hit the same big cities again and again. Bor-rrring.

A real GT would not go over the same stages year after year. Where are cities like: Cresent City, Ukiah, Eureka, Alturas, Ft Bragg, Susanville, Truckee, Tahoe, Bridgeport, Bishop, Lone Pine, Palm Springs, El Centro? Instead of traveling north to south via Highway 1 or the central valley, why don't they come down 395? Where are some actual Sierra passes? Somebody else mentioned that they would head into the foothills again and try to pass it off as 'Sierras,' they got THAT right.

Yes, I thought the SF-Santa Cruz stage provided some good action last year, and yes, Levi lives in and loves Santa Rosa, but you don't have to have it again. Does the Tour go up L'Alpe d'Huez every year? Find some new roads, California has plenty of small scenic roads they can use.

Don't even get me started on the date change.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Boring, bland route. Let's hope the race is somehow better. It seems to me this route could have easily have been pulled off in February. I don't think there's a single road that would have been covered by snow at that time, except maybe route 18, if there's a storm.

There was so much hype about moving to May in that it would open the state up, specificually the Sierras, where all the true, spectacular climbs are. But not only did they not get to the Sierras, they didn't even get close.

I don't think this is quite right. The City of Big Bear is on the south side of the lake. The map shows the stage finishing in Fawnskin. There is not much there and I can't think of how there could be an uphill finish as it is pretty flat.

I haven't seen an actual route map. Can you supply a link? Though if what you say is true, this "queen stage" could indeed be a disappointment.

 

[titan_90]

This makes me look forward to Saturday and the Giro route announcement even more. With Zoncolan, Plan de Corones, Gavia and Mortirolo to just name the beasts.

"Hasta la vista Giro d'Italia?" please, and Bob Stapleton saying the ToC is now a GT, go smoke some more crack.

 

[Boeing]

Curious why they continue to avoid Orange County

 

[Anonymous]

Boring, bland route. Let's hope the race is somehow better. It seems to me this route could have easily have been pulled off in February. I don't think there's a single road that would have been covered by snow at that time, except maybe route 18, if there's a storm.

There was so much hype about moving to May in that it would open the state up, specificually the Sierras, where all the true, spectacular climbs are. But not only did they not get to the Sierras, they didn't even get close.



I haven't seen an actual route map. Can you supply a link? Though if what you say is true, this "queen stage" could indeed be a disappointment.

noflyzone_allstars post #28

http://www.bikemap.net/route/340645?125623319557230#lt=34.18454&ln=-117.20833&z=11&t=0

I imagine this route is probably close except the riders will probably stay to their right (east) as they cross Big Bear dam. If they descend from Wrightwood and then ascend up Hwy 330 the the stage ends up being about 135 miles. If they go further east and go up Hwy 38 then they go over Onyx Summit which is 8,700 ft., the stage would be around 155 miles and about 19,000 ft of climbing. They could come up the backside of Hwy 18, which is a tough climb, but the stage is 150+ miles. I read somewhere that they will finish at a ski resort. If that is true then it would likely be Snow Summit. If it's Snow Summit there is only a rise right at the very end and it's not very long.

If this is the correct route then the real climbing is essentially over at Snow Valley and is more or less a twisty, rolling descent to the City of Big Bear. I would say the finish is in the mountains but not a mountain top finish (if this is the route).

 

[hfer07]

This makes me look forward to Saturday and the Giro route announcement even more. With Zoncolan, Plan de Corones, Gavia and Mortirolo to just name the beasts.

"Hasta la vista Giro d'Italia?" please, and Bob Stapleton saying the ToC is now a GT, go smoke some more crack.

He must have some serious money investment in the ToC to ever "dare" to say sh!t like that in public

As I wrote in another thread-the 2010 ToC will work "only" for American teams, American business & American cycling.