Viewing guide for Amgen women's races around Lake Tahoe

On Thursday and Friday, May 11 and 12, over 120 of the world's elite cyclists will descend upon Lake Tahoe for Amgen Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Women’s Race empowered with SRAM. The race presenter AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, created routes that will challenge these top female cyclists. They will vie for the coveted jersey during the four-day race. After Lake Tahoe they head to Elk Grove on May 13, and the finale in Sacramento on MMay 14.

Thursday, May 11 - Start at Heavenly Mountain Resort at 10:40 a.m. Finish back at Heavenly at approximately 2:00 p.m. after 72.7 miles around the lake. Presented by Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM. What better way to start a WorldTour event? The fans and racers can’t seem to get enough of this epic road race and world-class race course, which they contested at the start of last year’s event. The 2017 race will start and finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort. The route will circle Lake Tahoe in a clockwise direction, passing through South Lake Tahoe, Emerald Bay and Tahoe City. As the riders reach the north shore of Lake Tahoe, they will enter Nevada and ride through Incline Village. The stage will feature two sprints, 5,300’ of elevation gain and two Queen of the Mountain (QOM) climbs. The final climb will be a brutal ascent back to the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Since Lake Tahoe is known for its natural wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, fans will likely be watching from boats, paddle boards and bikes.

Times and locations racers should be on the South Shore

10:42 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Keller
10:43 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Ski Run Blvd
10:48 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Al Tahoe Blvd
10:52 a.m. - Al Tahoe & Hwy 50
10:57 a.m. - Hwy 50 and SR 89
11:04 a.m. - Camp Richardson
1:41 p.m. - Hwy 50 & Warrior Way
1:48 p.m. - Hwy 50 & Elks Point
1:51 p.m. - Hwy 50 & Kingsbury Grade
1:55 p.m. - Hwy 50 & Pioneer Trail
1:58 p.m. - Pioneer Trail & Ski Run Blvd
2:00 p.m. - Heavenly California Lodge

Friday, May 12 - Start at Heavenly Mountain Resort at 10:25 a.m. Finish back at Heavenly at approximately 1:50 p.m. after 67.1 miles and 6100 feet elevation gain - Presented by Visit California, a new road racecourse awaits the women for Stage 2. The racers will return to Heavenly Mountain Resort for the start, heading west and then south on CA-89. This will take them over the 7,740-foot summit of Luther Pass where they will contest the first of three QOMs for the stage followed by a quick descent into the spectacular Carson River Basin. The route will then take the riders on a loop through the Washoe Reservation before heading northeast into Nevada. A left turn will take them north on Kingsbury Grade. The “Grade” has never been attempted in any previous Amgen Tour of California stage. This is an 8-mile climb that gains 2,700’ in elevation. The second QOM will come at an elevation of 7,400’. The descent back to South Lake Tahoe will provide many beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. The final QOM of the stage will await the riders at the finish at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

10:27 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Keller
10:29 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Ski Run Blvd
10:33 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Al Tahoe Blvd
10:35 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & High Meadow
10:46 a.m. - Pioneer Trail & Mandan
10:52 a.m. - Cornelian & SR 89
10:59 a.m. - SR 89 & Grass Lake
12:52 p.m. - Foothill Rd & Kingsbury Grade
1:40 p.m. - Kingsbury Grade & Tramway
1:45 p.m. - Kingsbury Grade & Hwy 50
1:49 p.m. - Hwy 50 & Pioneer Trail
1:51 p.m. - Pioneer Trail & Ski Run Blvd
1:53 p.m. - Heavenly California Lodge

Temporary Road Closures

Those trying to navigate roads during the race will need to be prepared for some traffic delays. Organizers have kept them to a minimum. On Thursday, May 11 between 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. and Friday, May 12 between 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. with rolling road closures.

Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to host viewing parties and cheer for racers as they pass.

Officials advise to plan for 30 minutes on each side of an intersection and one hour on Spooner Summit/Highway 28 for Thursday, May 11 and Kingsbury Grade for Friday, May 12.
- May 11: Highway 28 to Incline Village will be closed from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Through traffic will be held at Spooner Summit at 1 p.m.
- May 12: Through traffic at Kingsbury Grade will be held at 12:30 p.m.

Activities for the public

A free festival for the public takes place on Thursday and Friday and features exhibitors, family activities, cancer and cardiovascular awareness education, and food/beverage for purchase. There is designated parking at Heavenly’s California Base Lodge. Attendees are encouraged to carpool or bike.

Strider Race for tikes ages 2-5 years old is at the festival on Friday. They will cross the same finish line as the athletes. Each child participating will receive a Strider Medal and an Amgen Tour of California goodie bag. Race is at 9:30 a.m. Register online at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/strider.

Route Maps are available in this story as well as on For route maps visit: www.tahoesouth.com/amgen.

Teams

17 teams from around the world will be participating

Astana Women’s Team (KAZ)
BePink Cogeas (ITA)
Boels-Dolmans Cycling Team (NED)
Canyon/SRAM Racing (GER)
Cylance Pro Cycling (USA)
Drops (GBR)
Hagens Berman | Supermint (USA)
Lares-Waowdeals Women Cycling Team (BEL)
Rally Cycling (USA)
Sho-Air TWENTY20 (USA)
Team Colavita | Bianchi (USA)
Team Sunweb (NED)
Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank (USA)
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA)
Visit Dallas DNA Pro Cycling (USA)
Wiggle High5 Pro Cycling (GBR)