2010 Tour of California Route Announced

Quote from Official Press release:

LOS ANGELES (October 22, 2009) – The host cities for the record-setting Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race were announced this morning via a Twitter exchange that took place shortly before 9 a.m. PT between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and some of America’s most accomplished cyclists, including Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Dave Zabriskie and George Hincapie. This marked the first time an event of this stature has ever been announced via Twitter.

Along with the overall announcement of the race, the four cyclists also revealed their intentions to participate in the fifth-annual event, considered to be America’s most important and prestigious cycling race.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong’s announcement of his intent to compete in the fifth-annual race was met with enthusiasm from race organizers and fans. After mounting an incredible comeback to professional cycling in 2009, competing in the Amgen Tour of California and other top races around the world, including finishing third in the 2009 Tour de France, Armstrong will start the 2010 season on his newly formed Team RadioShack. Returning to the Amgen Tour of California for the second consecutive year, Armstrong is expected to be a top competitor in the race.

The Tour will run from May 16, 2010 through May 23, 2010. Those dates place it right in the middle of the Giro d’Italia. The 800 mile race will start in Nevada City and wind its way through the state of California finishing in the Agoura Hills.

Team invitations have not been confirmed but the RadioShack team has already committed to the race. Garmin will be sending some of its riders there also. Rabobank, since they are a co-sponsor of the Tour will likely send a strong squad.