PedalDancer.com is a bike blog for travelers and cyclists. Intended as a free educational source for the public, with stories from Colordo, California and France, with bike event calendar lists, bike race dates, bicycle and travel stories, cycling and bike race photography, bike routes, recommended bike climbs, cycling travel tips and maps. With France road sign and tollway travel tips.
Official website route start description: The 2015 Giro d’Italia will kick off on the 9th of May, with an 18km team time trial along the coast between San Lorenzo al Mare to San Remo. The 98th edition of the Corsa Rosa will run over 21 stages to the 31st of May and the organisers, RCS Sport/La Gazzetta dello Sport, have announced all three opening stages will take place in the picturesque region of Liguria, which sits on the Italian Riviera.
Route of 2015 Giro d'Italia
Giro d'Italia map and profile 2015
Route of the 2015 Giro d'Italia:
May 09, Stage 1: San Lorenzo Al Mare - Sanremo (Team time trial), 17.6km
May 10, Stage 2: Albenga - Genoa, 173km
May 11, Stage 3: Rapallo - Sestri Levante, 136km
May 12, Stage 4: Chiavari - La Spezia, 150km
May 13, Stage 5: La Spezia - Abetone, 152km
May 14, Stage 6: Montecatini Terme - Castiglione Della Pescaia, 181km
May 15, Stage 7: Grosseto - Fiuggi, 263km
May 16, Stage 8: Fiuggi - Campitello Matese, 188km
May 17, Stage 9: Benevento - San Giorgio Del Sannio, 212km
May 18, Rest day
May 19, Stage 10: Civitanova Marche - Forlì, 195km
May 20, Stage 11: Forlì - Imola (Autodromo Ferrari), 147km
May 21, Stage 12: Imola - Vicenza (Monte Berico), 190km
May 22, Stage 13: Montecchio Maggiore - Jesolo, 153km
May 23, Stage 14: Treviso - Valdobbiadene (Individual time trial), 59.2km
May 24, Stage 15: Marostica - Madonna Di Campiglio, 165km
May 25, Rest day
May 26, Stage 16: Pinzolo - Aprica, 175km
May 27, Stage 17: Tirano - Lugano, 136km
May 28, Stage 18: Melide - Verbania, 172km
May 29, Stage 19: Gravellona Toce - Cervinia, 236km
May 30, Stage 20: Saint-Vincent - Sestriere, 196km
May 31, Stage 21: Turin - Milan, 185km
Men's Start List for Amgen Tour of California (complete roster) By ATOC Press Release
Womens Start List for Amgen Tour of California (ITT roster) By ATOC Press Release
Women's Race (more maps and route details below ...)
Stage 1: Friday, May 8 – South Lake Tahoe ATOC Stage 1 WOMEN Route Map
Stage 2: Saturday, May 9 – South Lake Tahoe ATOC Stage 2 WOMEN Route Map
Stage 3: Sunday, May 10 – Sacramento ATOC Stage 3 WOMEN Route Map
Invitational Time Trial: Friday, May 15 – Santa Clarita
My favorite photo I took from the 2014 Tour of California. Photo by Karen Rakestraw for Pedal Dancer®
2015 ATOC CLASSIFICATION JERSEYS
New for 2015 - some creatively designed classification jerseys this year made by Champion System custom technical apparel.
Amgen Race Leader Jersey
Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey
Lexus King of the Mountain (KOM)/Queen of the Mountain (QOM) Jersey
Visit California Sprint Jersey
SRAM Best Young Rider Jersey
The line up of jerseys in 2014. Photo by Willie Riechenstein for Pedal Dancer®
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TEAMS
Mens Teams 2015 : 18 Pro Teams Announced for 2015 Amgen Tour Of California
UCI ProTeams (8):
BMC Racing Team, USA
Etixx – Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team, Belgium
Team Cannondale-Garmin, USA
Team Giant-Alpecin, Germany
Team LottoNL-Jumbo, Netherlands
Team Sky, Great Britain
Tinkoff-Saxo, Russia
Trek Factory Racing, USA
UCI Professional Continental Teams (4):
Drapac Professional Cycling, Australia
MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung, South Africa
Team Novo Nordisk, USA
UnitedHealthcare Professional Cycling Team, USA
UCI Continental Teams (6):
Axeon Cycling Team, USA
Hincapie Racing Team, USA
Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis, USA
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies, USA
Jamis-Hagens Berman p/b Sutter Home, USA
Team SmartStop, USA
Womens Teams 2015: 14 teams announced for 2015 Amgen Tour of California (Racing May 8-10, 2015)
Women's Elite Teams:
Alé-Cipollini
BMW p/b Happy Tooth Dental
Canada National Team
Colavita|Bianchi p/b Fine Cooking
Grassi Pro Cycling Team Mexico
Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team
Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies
Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth
Team TIBCO-SVB
Twenty16 p/b Sho-Air
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Velocio-SRAM
Xirayas de San Luis
Official Press Release on 01/23/15:
"Without a doubt, the 2015 race stacks up as the most dynamic Amgen Tour of California ever. Eighteen of the world's most decorated and esteemed teams will compete for one of the sport's most coveted titles. When the international field of Pro riders begins its eight-day journey in the state capital of Sacramento, eight top-ranking UCI ProTeams will lead the pack, including Tinkoff-Saxo, whose sprinter Peter Sagan (SVK) will return to California to try to add to his race record of 11 stage wins; Team Giant-Alpecin, who will challenge Sagan's hopes with Marcel Kittel (GER), one of the few cyclists to win sprints in all three Grand Tours; Santa Rosa, Calif.-based BMC Racing Team, an 8-time participant that swept the overall race and team classification in 2013 and is ranked second in the world; and Trek Factory Racing, which fielded a top-5 finish in last year's competition"
2015 ATOC mens team jerseys
HOW TO WATCH THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA ON TV
Tour Tracker - watch it live on your phone or device!
TV Schedule for 2015 Amgen Tour of California television schedule follows:
Preview Show presented by Visit California:
Saturday, May 2 at 9:30-10:30 p.m. PDT on NBCSN
Sunday, May 3 at 8:30-9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.-midnight PDT on NBCSN
Women's Race empowered with SRAM On-Demand:
Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. PDT on the Amgen Tour of California app and website: Stage 1 presented by SRAM - South Lake Tahoe
Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. PDT on the Amgen Tour of California app and website: Stage 2 presented by Amgen - South Lake Tahoe
Sunday, May 10 at 8 p.m. PDT on the Amgen Tour of California app and website: Stage 3 presented by Visit California - Sacramento
Women's Race Highlight Show empowered with SRAM:
Thursday, May 14 at 11 p.m.-12 a.m. PDT on NBCSN
Men's Race Live Broadcast:
Sunday, May 10 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 1 presented by Visit California - Sacramento
Monday, May 11 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 2 presented by Breakaway from Cancer(r) - Nevada City to Lodi
Tuesday, May 12 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 3 presented by SRAM - San Jose
Wednesday, May 13 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 4 presented by SRAM - Pismo Beach to Avila Beach
Thursday, May 14 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 5 presented by Visit California - Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita
Friday, May 15 at 2-4 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 6 presented by Lexus - Big Bear Lake Individual Time Trial
Saturday, May 16 at 1:30-3:30 p.m. PDT on NBCSN: Stage 7 presented by Lexus - Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sunday, May 17 at 10-Noon PDT on NBC: Stage 8 presented by Amgen -
L.A. LIVE (Downtown Los Angeles) to Pasadena / Rose Bowl Stadium
STAGE DETAILS - SPECTATOR GUIDE
MEN's Stage Race Details:
Stage 1: Sacramento, Presented by Visit California
Sunday, May 10 – Sacramento
Start/Finish Location: State Capitol Building, L Street & 11th Street
Start Time: 10:50 a.m.
Miles: 126.2 mi
Kilometers: 203.1 km
Elevation Gain: 1,400 ft
Website: amgentourofcalifornia.com/stages/stage-1
Map: ATOC Stage 1 - Download Map (PDF)
Profile: ATOC Stage 1 - Download Profile (PDF)
Landmarks: Crossing the Sacramento River over the Tower Bridge Passing through the cities of Clarksburg, Courtland, Walnut Grove, Davis, Woodland to the State Capital Building for the final sprint finish.
Landmarks: across Rattlesnake Road and Dog Bar Road, over the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California, over the American River, up Highway 49 climb to KOM, past zinfandel vineyards of Lodi, more finishing circuits in downtown Lodi with another sprint finish.
Landmarks: visiting San Jose for the 10th time, the race will cross Calaveras Road, through Livermore to the back-side of 4,216-foot Mount Hamilton, descent and up to fifth KOM on Quimby Road, San Felipe Road to reach Metcalf Road (10% grades), to the finish at Motorcycle County Park.
Landmarks: A long route departing Pismo Beach through Grover Beach, Guadeloupe, Highway 1 to Orcutt, Santa Maria, (my favorite!) Foxen Canyon Road past the vineyards, to Tepusquet and finally the finish in Avila Beach where either the break will stick or a sprinter will again win.
GCN stage preview with Dave Zabriski and Daniel Lloyd, video: Amgen Tour Of California 2015 | Stage 5 Preview. "Stage 5 of this year's Tour of California starts by the beach and finishes at a theme park. Nice, eh?"
Landmarks: Another picturesque start next to the ocean under the palms trees of Santa Barbara. The riders pass through Montecito and Carpinteria with a KOM at Lake Casitas, descending into Ojai. Antoerh KOM at Dennison Grade, into Santa Paula, up the very steep Balcom Canyon (expect fans here!). Descnet down Grimes Canyon to Piru and into Santa Clarita for yet another sprint finish.
Friday, May 15 – Santa Clarita Individual Time Trial
Start Location: vicinity of Santa Clarita (to be announced May 14th)
Finish Location: vicinity of Santa Clarita (to be announced May 14th)
WOMEN Start Time: 12:30p.m.
WOMEN Estimated Finish Time: 1:06 p.m.
MEN Start Time: 1:00 p.m.
MEN Estimated Finish Time: 3:42 p.m.
Miles: 306 mi
Kilometers: 10.6 km
Elevation Gain: minimal
Website: www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Lifestyle Village open: 11:00a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (located near finish line)
Stage 6: Santa Clarita Time Trial Maps and time table
Santa Clarita Map: Amgen TOC_Stage 6_Map
Santa Clarita Profile: AmgenTOC_Stage 6_Profile
Santa Clarita Time Trial route map 2015 Tour of California
Stage 6 Profile Map
More about the new course
Short, 6.6-mile time trial set for Amgen Tour at Six Flags By Caley Fretz of Velo News
Road Closures near Magic Mountain for Time Trial in Santa Clarita
Road closures will be in effect Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on:
- Feedmill Road;
- Southbound lanes of The Old Road;
- Turnberry Lane;
- Southbound off-ramp from Interstate 5 to Rye Canyon Road.
For more information, visitSantaClaritaTourofCA.com.
Women's ITT
The women's race is a sanctioned non-world cup UCI 1.1 designated race. The women will race on the same course as the men with equal prize money. The 2014 women's Individual Time Trial in Folsom, California, was won by Alison Powers; Brianna Walle took second and Tayler Wiles earned third. This year only Wiles is back on the roster to compete, but Kristin Armstrong will be racing.
Twenty-three women will compete in the time trial. The women's roster is here: Women's Roster for Tour of California Time Trial
Tips to enjoy the day in Santa Clarita - things to know about Stage 6
Most of the riders will begin in 1-minute intervals, with the final riders beginning three minutes apart.
The starting order of riders for the men's race will be the reverse of the overall GC standings from the day before results from Stage 5 into Santa Clarita. The starting order (with racer, team and bib #) will be published the evening of May 14th.
Race organizers expect the riders to take about ?-minutes to complete the full course. Their speed is estimated to be between 26 and 30 mph for the ITT.
The team buses will be located near the start area where you can see the riders warming up on their bike trainers pre race. Lots of fun to cruise the buses to see your favorite riders.
The entire course will be fully closed to traffic. There will be designated pedestrian crossing points manned by volunteers who will open the crossing only when safe.
Jumbo-tron screens will also be available in the Village and Lifestyle Expo areas to watch the race.
The Expo and Beer Garden will be located in the expo area.
Fans will be able to walk back and forth between the start and finish.
How I like to see a time trial:
I print off the start list the night before so I can tell which
rider is coming next (It will also be available for view on your phone on Tour Tracker app).
I arrive early.
I always park where it will be easiest to exit/leave after the race. Parking should be most convenient for leaving the event, not for arriving at the event.
I like to get their early so I can easily walk around and find all key locations. Where is the start ramp, the team buses, the finish line, the podium, and how can I easily get back and forth between these places.
Next I take the time to grab a local coffee or snack. I people watch and soak in the atmosphere.
I look at the course ahead of time to decide which side or corners will afford me good photos.
I like to stop by the team buses to see the mechanics line up the bikes for the riders and check out the equipment each team will be using.
I will watch from the barriers or meander through the Expo for the first group of riders. Chances are, the best time trialists will be in the middle of the start list or the last of the list. By the middle of the pack, I want to be at the team buses to watch these key riders warm up. Then I might be at the start ramp to sense their nervousness and see them take off. By the last 10 riders, I want to be near the finish where I can watch the times; and near the podium.
One thing is clear about this time trial route - unless you are quite good at swimming across a river, you will not be able to move around easily from one spot to another for viewing.
VIP Tickets and Jens Voigt Meet and Greet
If you have VIP tickets, be sure to follow signs to VIP parking. VIP tents are located along the last meters of the finish. VIP tickets may be purchased for $199 each. Buy VIP Tickets to Big Bear Time Trial. VIP tents open at 10:00AM
You can meet Jens Voigt -- maybe. There is a waiting line to meet him. But try your best online, by watching a screen constantly refresh... and then ... I have no idea what will happen but it will take your billing information and let you know if you have a ticket. Buy your ticket to meet Jens.
Wrapping it up
The individual riders will ride in team cars, or ride their bikes, to their hotels or will retreat inside their team buses immediately after their race. Once a rider races, he is whisked away to begin his recovery process for the next day - the tough climb up Mt. Baldy. For the women, this is their final day of racing.
The Podium presentations takes place immediately after the finish of the race and only lasts about 20 minutes. If you can, make your way to the podium to see the celebration. The podium is typically near the finish.
STAGE 6 TIME TRIAL ROUTE MAP ANNOUNCED MAY 14TH
Stage 7: Ontario to Mt Baldy, Presented by Lexus - The Queen Stage
Saturday, May 16 – Ontario to Mt. Baldy (Queen Stage)
Start Location: Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario
Landmarks: The Queen Stage, the climb to Mt Baldy is so hard! the stage begins at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, north to Rancho Cucamonga and then west to Upland, and then finally up Mt Baldy Village, Glendora Ridge Road, down the backside of Glendora Mountain Road, backside of Glendora Mountain Road, Highway 39 to Azusa and Glendora. Up Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) and back to Baldy Village and then a gain of 1,000 feet in just three miles, up Ice House Canyon, up the switchbacks to the top.
For more information about the timed event ride (race for some) for amateurs taking place on Mt Baldy on May 16th, read: L'Etape California 2015
Tour of California Stage 7 Map 2015
Stage 7 Tour of California Mt Baldy climb - Tour Tracker
Stage 8: Los Angeles to Pasadena, Presented by Amgen
Sunday, May 17 – L.A. LIVE (Los Angeles) to the Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena)
Landmarks: Start in downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE with a five-mile circuit passing the Biltmore Hotel, Pershing Square, City Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Los Angeles Music Center, STAPLES Center, after an hour of circuit racing, the peloton will go north passing Downtown L.A., Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, Montecito Heights, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and Arroyo Seco Park to the city of Pasadena and the Rose Bowl Stadium. the riders will do a 3.1-mile circuit around the Rose Bowl before reaching another circuit course of 7 laps to complete before the finish line on West Drive.
Tour of California Stage 8 Map 2015
I hope someone will be there to keep track of all these different lap locations for the riders. I can imagine there will be plenty of screaming through the team radios, "This is not the finish - you have seven more laps to go!"
WOMEN'S STAGE RACE DETAILS
(W) Stage 1: South Lake Tahoe / Heavenly - road race, Empowered by SRAM
Friday, May 8, 2015
Start Location: South Lake Tahoe / Heavenly Mountain Resort
Finish Location: South Lake Tahoe / Heavenly Mountain Resort
L'Etape Stage: Stage 7 - Queen Stage (Mt Baldy) of the 2015 Amgen Tour of California
Distance (2 distances): 40 and 80 miles
It is a tradition that AEG organizes a timed ride in which amateur riders can ride one complete stage of the Tour of California. Typically they select the hardest stage, and this year that would be the Queen Stage of Stage 7 up to Mt Baldy, an incredibly steep and difficult final climb. Test your metal alongside retired pro Jens Voigt, who is this year's ambassador for L'Etape 2015.
Two courses are offered in 2015: a shorter 40-mile more direct route to Mt Baldy (5,000 feet of elevation gain over a 13-mile climb) and a traditional longer 80-mile loop course climbing to Mt. Baldy Village, along the scenic Glendora Ridge and Glendora Mountain Roads, and then up the final climb to Mt Baldy.
What is special about this year, is that L'Etape is ON THE SAME DAY AS THE PRO RACE, which means once you cross the finish line, you will join other L'Etape participants inside the finish line barriers for special viewing of the final climb where ONLY L'Etape riders will be allowed for the conclusion of the professional race. ONLY L-Etape riders will be allowed to ride their bikes across the finish line barriers; ONLY L'Etape rider will be treated to a BBQ while waiting for the pros to arrive; ONLY L'Etape riders earn the really cool Shut up Baldy tshirt (below).
Enjoy the celebration at the finish line with fellow L'Etape California participants.
Before departing the start area in the morning, you will be given a specific event bag into which you may load any items you want at the finish area. This bag will be transported to the top for you. A jacket, warmers, replacement drinks, clothes and walking shoes are recommended items to include in your bag. All items must fit into the one event bag (not your own bag). All L'Etape rider services will be within the last 1-mile of the finish. There will also be festival booths at the top of the mountain.
The last time ATOC included a stage finish atop Mt Baldy was in 2012, when the pros were estimated to finish between 3:17-3:56pm (I was there, I rode my bike to the top, but I was in an exhausted excited daze and cannot remember the exact time of arrival). This year they again expect the pros between 3:00-3:30pm. The podium presentation will take place within 20-30 minutes after the finish (of the first pro riders to arrive).
After the conclusion of the professional race, L'Etape riders will descend Mt. Baldy Road (along with spectators and many of the pros) 20-miles down the mountain back to the ride start. Mt. Baldy Road will reopen to all cyclists at approximately 4:00PM. If you want to descend the mountain before the pros (and the road closes) you must descend before (at least) 2:00pm. It will indeed be a very long exciting day for L'Etape participants (plan on 6:00am - 5:00pm total).
Mt Baldy it the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, in San Bernardino County, Southern California, USA
It hurts. The peloton suffering on Mt Baldy in 2013. Photo by Willie Weichenstein for Pedal Dancer®
Fans watching the race on the last swithback to the top of Mt Baldy in 2012. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
L'Etape California FAQs:
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2015
L'Etape Stage: Stage 7 (Queen Stage) of the 2015 Amgen Tour of California
Distance (2 distances): 40 and 80 miles
Descent Distance: 20 miles
Route: L'Etape California 2015 Route Map
Start: San Dimas/Claremont
Start time: 7:00am 80-milers, 8:00am 40-milers
Finish: Mt. Baldy
Required finish time: 2:30pm
Schedule: time schedule of events for the day
Information: Read more here
Amgen Tour of California ambassador: Jens Voigt
Registration: Register for L'Etape
Cost: ,
Biggest Challenge: averaging a nearly nine percent gradient for the final 4.3 miles
Return to the start: No riders will be allowed to descend between 2:30pm and 4pm as the course will be fully closed.
Registration includes:
- “Shut Up Baldy” Jens Voigt T-shirt
- Food/Hydration/Mechanical Support from SRAM (food stops on route)
- Exclusive ride through the Amgen Tour of California Finish (not open to the public)
- Complimentary photography
- Timed Mt. Baldy climbs
- Post-ride BBQ and viewing area along the final climb
- Bag transport to the finish
- Bike valet (they will safely store your bike at the finish while your watch the pro race!)
L'Etape Rider's Schedule for the day: Saturday, May 16:
5:00 AM Registration Opens (Pickup ride materials)
6:45 AM Registration Closes
6:45 AM Bag drop off for transport to finish line
6:50 AM Athlete Briefing and Opening Remarks
7:00 AM 80-mile ride start
8:00 AM 40-mile ride start
10:30 AM First rider arrives at Mt. Baldy Finish Line
10:30 AM Post-Ride BBQ Begins (1/2 mile below finish line)
10:30-2:00 PM L'Etape riders may descend to bottom of mountain
10:30-4:00 PM Bike Valet provided at finish line area (store your bike)
2:30 PM Last rider arrives at Mt. Baldy Finish Line
2:30 PM Road closes to all moving traffic
3:00 – 3:15 PM Professional race finishes
4:00 PM Spectators and participants (cyclists) may descend Mt. Baldy back to the start