For the first time, Paso Robles will be a featured city in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Scheduled over nine consecutive days from February 14-22, 2009, the race will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see, firsthand, a lineup of some of the most elite, recognizable teams and athletes in the world. The 2009 race will once again have a world-class field of competitors, including two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer and seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong.
On Thursday, February 19, 2009 the fifth stage of the race will leave Visalia and follow a challenging route toward Paso Robles. At more than 130 miles, Stage 5 is the longest stage of the race. A new course for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, Stage 5 will begin in Visalia. Winding its way back to the coast, the route, which will include two sprints, will pass by vast cattle ranches and farms. The final 30-mile run into Paso Robles will be a fast sprint to the finish.
Justin Winery & Vineyard is sponsoring a coordinated ride, the Wellness Community Central Coast Inaugural Tour of Paso. A maximum of 100 riders will be allowed to participate. The course is a 15 mile ride from Justin Vineyards in northwest Paso to the Amgen finish line in downtown Paso Robles, ending slightly before the Amgen race. Tour participants are invited to a wine and cheese reception after the race, with the possible attendance of Lance Armstrong. For more details, contact Justin Winery at 805-238-6932 ext. 300. Entry Form. The Justin ride also has a Facebook page: Inaugural JUSTIN Tour of Paso Robles Bike-a-Thon.
Wineries along the race route will be sponsoring Watch Parties, everything from private, invitation only deck affairs to grandstands made of hay bales. Television, print, radio and internet media will be in attendance.
We hope you will join our entire community in welcoming these athletes to our wine-growing community!
Comments