Tour Of California To Begin In South, End In Santa Rosa
SANTA ROSA (CBS) - The Amgen Tour of California will take a new approach as it will start south and take cyclists northward up to Santa Rosa in 2013, for the first time of the race's history.
The 750-mile race will start in Escondido, in San Diego County, on May 12 and take the riders up the coast with stops at Santa Barbara, San Jose, and San Francisco before ending in Santa Rosa on May 19.
KCBS' Dave Padilla Reports:
Last year, Robert Gesink won the Tour of California in 2012, where it started in Santa Rosa and finished in Los Angeles in Nokia Center.
The Tour's executive director, Kristin Bachochin said the finish for Stage 7 will be especially memorable.
"Mt. Diablo I would say is probably one of the most epic climbs that have been incorporated into the Amgen Tour of California," she said.
Local pro cyclist Peter Stetina lives in Santa Rosa and said he is excited about the race concluding in the Bay Area.
"Now I just have to get the team to put me in the Tour of California and I can spend the final night in my own bed," said Stetina.
The race will also cross the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time since 2009.
Click here for full 2013 course details.
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