Watch: Amgen Tour of California reveals 2017 route

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruCgV7ASmJg

For 2017, both the men’s and women’s Amgen Tour of California will be UCI WorldTour races. The women race May 11 to 14 followed by the men on May 14 to 20.

The men’s race features two decisive days that will likely go a long way in determining the final general classification. The peloton tackles the slopes of Mt. Baldy on Stage 5 which last featured in the race in 2015 when Peter Sagan narrowly held off Julian Alaphilippe to solidify his overall race victory. The following day, a time trial on Stage 6 will be one last opportunity for a GC shake up but is only 23-km. Stages 1 to 4 will be opportunities for the sprinters or breakaways as will Stage 7 that finishes in Pasadena. Julian Alaphilippe won the 2016 Tour of California.

Alex Cataford, second from the front, rides in the breakaway on the first stage of the Tour of Alberta. Cataford would go on to finish fifth overall, the top Canadian in the race. Image: Oran Kelly

Peloton races through wine country outside of Santa Rosa. Photo credit: Oran Kelly

Adam de Vos (Rally). Photo credit: Oran Kelly

The breakaway, led by Peter Sagan. Photo credit: Oran Kelly

Julian Alaphilippe retained the yellow race leaders jersey. Photo credit: Oran Kelly

Jersey leaders after the Stage 6 time trial. Photo credit: Oran Kelly

The women’s race will once again feature a four-day race with the hardest stages coming early. Stage 1 and 2 both take place in South Lake Tahoe meaning the peloton will tackle climbs that will be decisive in deciding the GC. Stage 3 is a mostly flat affair ending in Sacramento while Stage 4 ends the Women’s WorldTour event with a circuit race on a 3.5-km route in the city. American Meagan Guarnier took the win in 2016 on her way to winning the overall in the inaugural Women’s WorldTour.

2017 Men’s Amgen Tour of California

Stage 1: Sacramento, 167.5km
Stage 2: Modesto to San Jose, 143km
Stage 3: Pismo Beach to Morro Bay, 183km
Stage 4: Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, 161.5km
Stage 5: Ontario to Mt. Baldy, 125.5km
Stage 6: Big Bear Lake time trial, 23km
Stage 7: Mountain High to Pasadena, 124km

2017 Women’s Tour of California

Stage 1: South Lake Tahoe, 117km
Stage 2: South Lake Tahoe, 108 km
Stage 3: Elk Grove to Sacramento, 118km
Stage 4: Sacramento (circuit race), 70km