Bakersfield's Tour of California route announced
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Cyclists will speed between Bakersfield College and Lake Ming during the individual time trial in this year's Amgen Tour of California.
Race organizers released route details Wednesday, including those for Stage 5 of the cycling race in Bakersfield.
Large version of the Stage 5 map >>
Cyclists will compete over more than 750 miles from May 13-20, beginning in Santa Rosa, hometown of three-time Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, and ending in downtown Los Angeles.
Overall Tour of California route map >>
Bakersfield will host the race's only individual time trial on Thursday, May 17. Riders will begin at Bakersfield College on Panorama Drive and head into an immediate descent to Alfred Harrell Highway, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of seconds, according to the Bakersfield Sports Foundation and AEG Sports.
The 18.4-mile time trial course will then head to a turnaround point at Lake Ming. The route will be full of 100-foot rollers, and riders will have to climb a 300-foot bluff to the finish, organizers say.
Bakersfield hosted the Stage 5 finish in 2010. More than 10,000 spectators lined Panorama Drive for that, and organizers say they expect twice as many people to show up this year.
"Bakersfield's central location means big crowds for the individual time trial," said David Lyman, manager of the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, in a news release. "Also, no Central Coast city has a tour stop this year, so both the race and our local business should see lots of visitors."
