Amgen Tour of California 2014 cities announced

The Amgen Tour of California will return to Sacramento for the start of the ninth edition of the nation’s largest cycling race. Last year, for the first time, the race started in the south and traveled north.

The eight-day stage race will return to a route of more than 700 miles from north to south May 11-18. The eight-day race will travel through 11 host cities during the event, including Folsom, Cambria, Pismo Beach and Mountain High, all first-time hosts.

In Southern California, the race will hit Santa Clarita and Pasadena and finish in Thousand Oaks.

“We strive to raise the bar each year to present an Amgen Tour of California that not only continues to attract and challenge the world’s top cyclists, but also fittingly features and
promotes California’s unique sights and striking scenery,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California.

“We’re confident our worldwide audience will enjoy
everything next year’s race has to offer -- from epic climbs to rolling hills and thrilling finishes; it’s a testament to California’s iconic terrain.”

Here’s the schedule:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 11 – Sacramento

Stage 2: Monday, May 12 – Folsom (individual time trial)

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 13 – San Jose to Mt. Diablo

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 14 – Monterey to Cambria

Stage 5: Thursday, May 15 – Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara

Stage 6: Friday, May 16 – Santa Clarita to Mountain High

Stage 7: Saturday, May 17 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena

Stage 8: Sunday, May 18 – Thousand Oaks

ALSO:

Marathon Jesus: See photos of NYC runner in holy costume

Schedule break comes at good time for Kings’ injured players

Red Sox take out ad in St. Louis paper thanking team they just beat