Organisers of the Amgen Tour Of California have been forced to move the venue of the time trial on Friday.
The organisers have said in a press statement: "Due to the forecast of snow and low temperatures, the Amgen Tour of California organisers have determined that race day conditions will not be safe for riders, teams, partners, fans or staff participating or attending the Individual Time Trial events scheduled for Friday, May 15 at Big Bear Lake.
In order to preserve the important Time Trial stage of the 2015 Amgen Tour of California, arrangements are being formalized to relocate Friday’s Men’s and Women’s Individual Time Trials to the Santa Clarita vicinity.
Amgen Tour of California Executive Director Kristin Klein commented, “While we are very disappointed to have to relocate the Individual Time Trials from Big Bear Lake, the safety of all of those affected has always been our primary concern.”
“We are extremely appreciative of everything the Big Bear Lake Organizing Committee has done for us this past year and in years past. While it is truly unfortunate that the community of Big Bear Lake will not fully capitalize on the impact as expected, our decision had to be based on the safety of the riders, the teams, the fans and residents,” commented Klein. “We owe everyone in Big Bear Lake a debt of gratitude and look forward to the opportunity to return to Big Bear Lake in the coming years.”
Ray Dicius, Vice Chair, Big Bear Lake 2015 Local Organizing Committee commented, “The City of Big Bear Lake and the Local Organizing Committee support the Tour’s difficult decision to move the Men’s and Women’s Individual Time Trial for reasons of rider safety as well as concerns for the teams, staff and spectators. Predicting and reacting to possible inclement weather is always hard and becomes even more so when you factor in a large traveling race caravan including tons of transported equipment. We thank the Tour’s Executive and Race Director Kristin Klein and Jim Birrell, as well as their very professional team along with all of our Funding and Presenting Partners, vendors, 200 plus staff and volunteers who understand tough decisions the Tour needs to make. While we are disappointed in weather decisions beyond our control, we look forward to being a Host City again to welcome the best race fans and America’s Greatest Race back to Big Bear Lake, CA.”
Friday’s schedule for Stage 6 Presented by Lexus in Santa Clarita will be:
11:00 AM – Women’s Individual Time Trial Empowered with SRAM
1:00 PM – Men’s Individual Time Trial
Other remaining stages of the 2015 Amgen Tour of California:
Saturday, May 16 – Stage 7 Presented by Lexus: Ontario to Mt. Baldy
Sunday, May 17 – Stage 8 Presented by Amgen: L.A. LIVE to Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Stadium