Amgen Tour of California unveils route for 2015 race

Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California have unveiled the route of this year’s cycling race, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The eight-stage, 724-mile race will start May 10 in Sacramento and finish in Pasadena on May 17.

The tour will roll into Southern California on May 14 during a 98-mile stage from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita before heading to Big Bear the next day for an individual time trial.

From there, a grueling, 80-mile trek from Ontario to a summit finish at Mt. Baldy will mark the race’s penultimate stage. The final day will see the riders depart L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles for a 60-mile stage which ends at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

“We’ve reached a milestone this year with the 10th edition of the race, and we want everything to reflect that ... , from the best lineup of teams we’ve ever had to an unbelievably beautiful and exciting route,” said Kristin Bachochin Klein, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California, in a statement. “All of the pieces of the race have come together to set the stage for something truly legendary and memorable. I think it’s going to be a year for the record books.”

Some of the world’s best known cycling teams are scheduled to compete in the race, which will feature many riders who are set to take part in this year’s Tour de France. BMC Racing Team, Etixx-Quickstep Pro Cycling Team, Cannondale-Garmin Pro Cycling and Tinkoff-Saxo are among the teams that will be represented in the race.

The women’s race will feature four stages, including two road stages in the Lake Tahoe area and a time trial in Big Bear.