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FROM THE SUMMIT Greetings all, Once again the Amgen Tour of California is on our doorsteps. Many of the world's elite cyclist will be battling this month in our own backyard and on our home turf. Roads we have laughed on, cried on, sweated on and bled on are included in this year's event. For me, the highlight of this year's Tour is the opportunity to see Lance Armstrong compete once again. The Amgen Tour of California will be Lance's first U.S. race of the season. After a three year hiatus, Lance will be using the Amgen Tour of California as an extention of his training for the Tour de France, as well as an opportunity to highlight cancer awareness. Lance states that the, "level of competition, the challenge of the course and the highly professional atmosphere" as reasons he want to compete in our backyard. Also, Amgen has a record of supporting cancer awareness and research through their Breakaway from Cancer initiative and has committed to partnering with Lance Armstrong Foundation. The local stage in this year's race will once again be the route between San Jose and Modesto. The big difference this year is the reversal of the usual route. Instead of starting in Modesto, riders will be starting in San Jose and will hit Sierra Road with just five miles of warming up. From there, the peleton will make a right hand turn tackle "the wall" and hammer out one of my favorite local roads, Calaveras. I hope that many of you can find the time to be out there and cheer on some of the best the world has to offer. This is a great event, and one that I am proud to have in my backyard.See you on the road...
Jeff G |
