World's best cyclists to pedal through Yuba-Sutter

Some of the world’s top professional cyclists will pass through Yuba-Sutter during this year’s Amgen Tour of California, race officials announced Wednesday.

VIDEO: Tour of California Stage 2

The Amgen Tour bike race will wind its way around Beale Air Force Base and Wheatland on May 16 during the 2011 route's second stage, a 133.2-mile stretch from Squaw Valley to Sacramento. Billed as the "largest cycling event in America," the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race that will challenge some of the world's top professional cyclists from May 15-22.

On the second stage, racers will travel along Highway 89 to Truckee, power their way up Donner Summit, head to Nevada City and Grass Valley and descend back into the valley for a trek around Beale before pushing on to the Capitol.

This is the first time in the race's six-year history it has made a pass through Yuba or Sutter counties. Past tours included stretches through the Napa wine country, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge and whizzing through the redwoods of Santa Cruz.

Amgen promises to be a rush for any observers, said Yuba County Supervisor John Nicoletti. He has watched parts of the course before and said it is amazing to witness the athleticism it takes to cross such lengths and types of terrain.

"This isn't just cycling — these are super-athletes," he said. "When you see the rate of speed, when you see the required strength and endurance capability, you realize right then you are seeing something special."

He encourages everyone to experience the tour.

"You hear they are close, you are getting updates, and suddenly they come roaring by and it's an eagle from zero to 60," Nicoletti said. "It's a thrill and a half."

More than 100 cyclists will cover 800 demanding miles during the course of this year's eight-day race, reaching elevations of 7,100 feet at Donner Pass. The event attracts cyclists from around the world, including U.S. competitor and 2009 Amgen winner Levi Leipheimer.

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has not yet committed to the race, but is listed on the event's web site as one of Team RadioShack's preliminary riders. He is expected to announce his decision soon.

Longtime Yuba City cyclist Kelly Swanson was excited by the route and said the announcement's timing coincides with the approval of Yuba City's Bicycle Master Plan and Sutter County's progress on bike plan.

"It's very exciting for present-day cyclists in the area and new and emerging cyclists," she said. "It can bring awareness for cycling as a sport, but also as a way to get around town and get around Yuba-Sutter safely."

If people have a chance to watch, the race is best experienced on a hill or on curve where cyclists have to slow down, Swanson advises.

"Bring lots of cheers, cowbells and a warm Yuba-Sutter welcome," she said. "The fact they chose to come here means world-class professional cyclists want to have a good time on our roads, and that's really cool ... There are a lot of roads in the Yuba-Sutter area that are great for cycling."

Andrew Messick, president of tour presenter AEG Sports, said organizers were eager to bring Amgen into Yuba County because it introduces a new stretch of terrain. The proximity to Beale also brings nice awareness to the armed forces.

Once riders emerge from the hills and woods and into the valley, the stretch before Sacramento will offer a long flat course before hilly stretches in the days to follow.

"We wanted an opportunity for teams that have strong sprinters to be able to show their stuff," Messick said, adding that organizers will continue to consider Yuba-Sutter roads in future races.

Nicoletti believes the repaving of Chuck Yeager Road was a critical factor in including Yuba-Sutter on the tour, and it should give cyclists a good impression of the county, Nicoletti said. It should also afford racers an opportunity to see a different side of California.

"They come from the pine scented air down into our blue oaks and our valley oaks and they'll be slipping over toward our pasture land," Nicoletti said. "The grasses have a different sense to the tour as the wooden areas."

The first stage of the Amgen Tour runs between South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe on May 15.

The third stage runs from Auburn to Modesto on May 17 before racers traverse roads from Livermore to San Jose on the fourth leg. The final legs are Seaside to Paso Robles, Solvang time trials for Stage 6, Claremont to Mt. Baldy for Stage 7, and a final stretch from Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks.

"If you've ever been curious about why the Tour de France gets so much attention... this is your chance to get up close and personal and see for yourself what the experience is like," Nicoletti said. "It never disappoints."