Tour of California bike race host cities announced for 2019

It’s hard to believe the Tour of California is celebrating its 14th year in 2019.

I remember anxiously awaiting the pre-race announcements for the event that was scheduled to start in February 2006. What was the route? What were the teams? Who would be the top riders (George Hincapie, Floyd Landis, and Levi Leipheimer competed)?

Now the Tour of California organizers have moved the event to May to take advantage of snow-free roads in the Sierra mountain passes. The reputations of Hincapie, Landis, Leipheimer, and many other pro cyclists have been sullied by their use of performance enhancing drugs. But pro cycling aficianados and fans still flock to the host city venues and line the route to experience the spectacle of the bike race.

Tour of California organizers today announced the host cities for the event from May 12-18, 2019. Disclosure of the exact route, teams, etc., will come later.

2019 Tour of California — Men

Sun., May 12  –  Stage 1: Sacramento
Mon., May 13  –  Stage 2: Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe
Tues., May 14  –  Stage 3: Stockton to Morgan Hill
Wed., May 15  –  Stage 4: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay
Thurs., May 16  –  Stage 5: Pismo Beach to Ventura
Fri., May 17  –  Stage 6: Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sat., May 18  –  Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena

2019 Tour of California — Women

Thurs., May 16  –  Stage 1: Ventura
Fri., May 17  –  Stage 2: Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sat., May 18  –  Stage 3: Santa Clarita to Pasadena

More details at the Amgen Tour of California website.