PALMDALE – Palmdale has been named as one of 12 Host City partners for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, officials announced at a press conference Tuesday.
“It is said that ‘the third time is a charm,’ and I know that everyone in the City of Palmdale is thrilled and proud that we’re a host city for the third time for the prestigious Amgen Tour of California,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “Our experiences in 2010 and 2012 really energized and brought together our community in a spirit of volunteerism and camaraderie. We are honored that once again we can invite an international audience to witness a world class event like this in Palmdale.”
Considered America’s largest and most prestigious professional road cycling stage race, the eighth consecutive edition of the Amgen Tour of California will travel approximately 750 miles from May 12-19, 2013. The tour will go from Escondido to Santa Rosa, taking riders on a south-to-north course for the first time in the eight-year race history.
For Stage 3 of the tour, on Tuesday, May 14, the race will return to Palmdale for a stage start and then travel approximately 100 miles to Santa Clarita.
“All of us here in the city of Palmdale are thrilled to partner with our neighbors in Santa Clarita for this world-class event,” said Ledford. “The residents of our communities will be able to witness both the start and finish of Stage 3 with ease. We look forward to welcoming our friends from Santa Clarita to Palmdale to watch the start and joining them at the finish line.”
“Santa Clarita is proud to once again return as a Host City for the Amgen Tour of California and we couldn’t be happier to partner with the great city of Palmdale for the third stage of the race,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Frank Ferry. “As race fans travel from across the United States, and all over the world, we will plan on showing them some of the very best of what Southern California has to offer.”
The 12 Host City partners for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California include:
- Stage 1: Sunday, May 12 – Escondido
- Stage 2: Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs
- Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita
- Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara
- Stage 5: Thursday, May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach
- Stage 6: Friday, May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial)
- Stage 7: Saturday, May 18 – Livermore to Mt. Diablo
- Stage 8: Sunday, May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa
Sponsorship opportunities with the city of Palmdale are available.
“Sponsorships are an important and unique way to connect businesses to consumers, all in the name of fun,” said Palmdale’s Marketing and Sponsorship Specialist Stella Knight. “With the international attention that the Amgen Tour of California attracts, sponsorships will be of great value to any business as well as an investment in our community. In 2011 alone, the race generated 3.5 billion online, print and television impressions locally and worldwide.”
For sponsorship information, contact Knight at sknight@cityofpalmdale.org or 661-267-5599.
For further information on the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, and to view the 2013 Amgen Tour of California map, visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com, the City of Palmdale’s Web site, www.cityofpalmdale.org/atoc, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ATOCPalmdale.
View sites from last year’s Amgen Tour of California’s Stage 6 start in Palmdale at our facebook page.
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Lancaster Citizen says
Congratulations Palmdale! It is the biggest bike race in America, with some of the best riders in the world.
Tina Marie says
Santa Clarita and Palmdale are not 100 miles apart.
S. Parker says
I’m sure the racers will take the scenic route through the landmarks of both cities. It’s not a straight route. I personally can’t wait. This was a great experience last year!
I wish they could travel through both Lancaster and Palmdale.
John Mlynar says
Hi Tina Marie:
The route the riders take will not be a straight shot to Santa Clarita. The will most likely be riding in the mountains before going to Santa Clarita. The overall route will probably be around 100 miles. The actual route will be announced in Jan. or Feb.
William says
It would be so nice if Tina Marie thanked you and S. Parker for the info on the route but………………..
I was at Marie Kerr Park with a friend at this year’s event and it was great. Beautiful day and besides seeing the cyclists, it was great to see the community gathered for the send off.