Amgen Tour of California February 14, 2009

The eyes of the cycling world will be firmly focused upon Sacramento come Valentine’s Day when Lance Armstrong will start his first road race on American soil since he returned from retirement. And quite a scintillating show they shall be treated to at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California prologue on the streets of the Golden State’s capitol. Armstrong won seven Tours de France in part due to his extraordinary time trial abilities, but the fast and flat 2.4-mile/3.9 km course is perhaps better suited to a power rider like Olympic gold medalist Fabian Cancellara, who won last year’s prologue. The route passes Sacramento landmarks including the State Capitol, the Capitol Mall and the Tower Bridge and should take about five minutes to complete. With the start and finish lines only blocks apart, spectators will not only enjoy the rare opportunity to see their favorite cyclists ride one at a time against the clock, but they can watch them start and finish.

Official Website: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com