The route for the 2014 Amgen Tour of California has been unveiled.
The ninth edition of the biggest race in America sees the eight stage race starting in the capital of California - Sacramento on May 11th 2014.
A route going north to south of over seven hundred miles will begin and finish in the state's Capital of Sacramento, which has hosted a prologue in 2009 as well as stage finishes in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.
Stage two will see an Individual Time Trial in the former gold rush city of Folsom before it is back to the road for a start in San Jose and a finsh upon Mt. Diablo
Monterey hosts the start of stage four on a day which will see the riders travel approximately 100 miles south to the finish in the seaside village of Cambria.
It is back to the ocean with a fifth stage from Pismo Beach, famous for its clams to Santa Barbara.
Stage six is another mountain stage for riders with a start at Santa Clarita and a finish on Mountain High.
Back to Santa Clarita for the start of Stage 7 which has a finish in Pasadena before the eighth and final stage starts and finishes in Thousand Oaks.
"We strive to raise the bar each year to present an Amgen Tour of California that not only continues to attract and challenge the world's top cyclists, but also fittingly features and promotes California's unique sights and striking scenery," said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California and senior vice president of AEG Sports. "We're confident our worldwide audience will enjoy everything next year's race has to offer – from epic climbs to rolling hills and thrilling finishes by sea, it's a testament to California's iconic terrain."
• Stage 1: Sunday, May 11 – Sacramento
• Stage 2: Monday, May 12 – Folsom (Individual Time Trial)
• Stage 3: Tuesday, May 13 – San Jose to Mount Diablo
• Stage 4: Wednesday, May 14 – Monterey to Cambria
• Stage 5: Thursday, May 15 – Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara
• Stage 6: Friday, May 16 – Santa Clarita to Mountain High
• Stage 7: Saturday, May 17 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena
• Stage 8: Sunday, May 18 – Thousand Oaks
.