Amgen Women's Race returns to Lake Tahoe for two stages in 2017

Amgen Tour of California announced today that professional cycling will return to Lake Tahoe, May 11-12, 2017. The Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women's Race will include the overall start and Stage 2 on consecutive days. The women’s competition will conclude with a third stage in Elk Grove, May 13 and the final in Sacramento, May 14.

The men's race is skipping Lake Tahoe this year and is set to begin in Sacramento on May 14.

The women will start with one of the most beautiful race routes in the country, circumnavigating the 72-mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe with the final climb that will lead riders to the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort. A new Stage 2 route will be announced in early 2017 where riders will face summits in excess of 7,300-feet leading to what promises to be a climatic finish. The upcoming race marks the tenth consecutive year that a women’s competition is a major component of the Amgen Tour of California.

“After the 2016 summer Olympic Games women’s cycling reached a new level and watching these elite athletes here in our backyard lends a new level of appreciation,” said Carol Chaplin, president and CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Tahoe South and our partners look forward to celebrating Tahoe as a cycling mecca for top competitors as well as recreational enthusiasts.”

“The Amgen Tour of California, has long been the most esteemed cycling race in America. Its designation as a UCI WorldTour event will continue to expand its international exposure and attract the best teams and cyclists yet, giving fans even more to cheer about from the streets of California next spring,” said Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and executive vice president of AEG Sports.

The Amgen Tour of California men’s 600-mile competition starts in Sacramento on May 14, 2017 and will conclude in Pasadena, May 20. This race will mark the first year the men’s race has been elevated to Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) WorldTour status, making it the only stage race in North America to receive this prestigious classification.

Returning to California in 2017 is the 2016 Amgen Breakaway From Heart Disease Women's Race Empowered with SRAM defending Champion and current UCI Womens World Tour Champion Megan Guarnier racing for the Boels–Dolmans team.

"The Amgen Tour of California has been a superb addition to the Women's World Tour calendar,” said Guarnier. “As an American, I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to race at the highest level on American soil. The Amgen Breakaway From Heart Disease Women's Race Empowered with SRAM allows create the most professional platform to showcase women’s racing alongside the long-running men's race, and the organization ensures that there is media coverage surrounding the event further elevating the exposure of our event for our current, and I dare say our future, fan base.

Amgen Breakaway from Heart Disease Women's Race Empowered with SRAM
Thursday, May 11..... Stage 1.....South Lake Tahoe
Friday, May 12.....Stage 2.....South Lake Tahoe
Saturday, May 13.....Stage 3.....Elk Grove to Sacramento
Sunday, May 14.....Stage 4.....Sacramento

Amgen Tour of California (Men’s Race)
Sunday, May 14.....Stage 1.....Sacramento
Monday, May 15.....Stage 2.....Modesto to San Jose
Tuesday, May 16.....Stage 3.....Pismo Beach to Morro Bay
Wednesday, May 17.....Stage 4.....Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita
Thursday, May 18.....Stage 5.....Ontario to Mt. Baldy (Summit Finish)
Friday, May 19.....Stage 6.....Big Bear Lake (Individual Time Trial)
Saturday, May 20.....Stage 7.....Mountain High to Pasadena

The Amgen Tour is presented by AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.