Amgen Tour of California announces pro teams
–The 2016 Amgen Tour of California will enter its second decade for the 2016 race. The 11th annual men’s event will include 10 UCI WorldTour Teams, the most in race history, as some of the top cyclists in the world face off across nearly 800 miles of California terrain May 15-22. For the first time, stage four of the race will start in Morro Bay on May 18 and wind north through San Luis Obispo County. The four-day women’s race will showcase some of the best talent in the sport and run in tandem May 19-22.
The eight-stage men’s event will feature 18 teams competing. Top UCI WorldTour teams and riders will include Tinkoff, whose renowned sprinter Peter Sagan won the 2015 Amgen Tour of California by the closest margin in its history (three seconds) by narrowly defeating Julian Alaphilippe of Etixx – Quick- Step.
Alaphilipe is also returning this year; rival sprinter Mark Cavendish, who returns to California having won four stages last year, this time riding for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka in its inaugural season as a UCI WorldTour team; and Santa Rosa, Calif.-based BMC Racing Team, a 9-time participant. BMC Racing Team will be led by Rohan Dennis, who last year won the first leader’s jersey of the 2015 Tour de France after recording the fastest average speed in race history, 55.446 km/hr.
“Having ridden all over Europe and personally been a spectator at the Giro d’Italia, I am impressed and excited to see the composition of these world-class teams,” said Morro Bay City Manager David Buckingham. “Morro Bay is thrilled to host these elite athletes.”
The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race will be the first North American stage race of the inaugural Women’s WorldTour. The race will be more competitive than ever, with Stage 4 of the course in SLO County as one of the most challenging. Riders will start in Morro Bay and cycle north on Highway 1 through the oceanside cliffs of Big Sur through to Monterey County. Seven of the top-10 UCI-ranked teams in contention, including current top-ranked Wiggle High5. Among Twenty16 – Ridebiker’s roster will be Kristin Armstrong, the most decorated woman cyclist in U.S. history, including six National Championship titles between time trial and road racing and two World Time Trial Championships.
“The Amgen Tour of California is really helping to put Morro Bay on the map in the cycling world,” Executive Director of Morro Bay Tourism Brent Haugen said. “We know those participating and watching the event will love exploring and staying in Morro Bay.”
Since its inception in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California has become one of the most notable races on the international cycling calendar, showcasing the most accomplished cyclists from around the world. In addition, the event provides cyclists the opportunity to preview their prospective competition leading to the Tour de France, and this year, the Summer Olympic Games.
“Visit San Luis Obispo County is proud to sponsor the 2016 Amgen Tour of California,” President and CEO Visit San Luis Obispo County Chuck Davison said. “We are thrilled the tour has chosen Morro Bay as the Stage 4 start, and look forward to showcasing San Luis Obispo County and giving national viewers a glimpse of our dynamic and beautiful county. The exposure and value of partnering with the Amgen Tour of California is an invaluable resource to our local economy and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership in the years to come.”
For a full roster list, quotes from team members and team statistics, visit amgentourofcalifornia.com. 2016 Amgen Tour of California
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