Cycling
New route for California tour
2012-11-28 12:31
Tour of California new route (File)
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Los Angeles - The Tour of California on Tuesday unveiled a route which for the first time in its eight-year history will take riders from Southern California to a finish in the north of the state.
"Taking the Amgen Tour of California from South to North is something we always knew we wanted to do, and we are thrilled with the way things have come together for 2013," said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and vice-president of presenter AEG.
"We think this will bring a whole new element to the competition for the elite cyclists who participate, not to mention some striking California scenery for our worldwide audience."
The approximately 750-mile (1 207km) stage race will begin in Escondido in San Diego County on May 12.
Riders will pass through 12 host towns, including Santa Barbara, San Jose and San Francisco, before the finish in Santa Rosa on May 19.
For the first time, riders will ride to the very top of Mount Diablo. The 2012 edition took riders only halfway up the northern California peak.
Robert Gesink of the Netherlands won the 2012 event, which began in Santa Rosa and ended in Los Angeles.