Professional Cycling For the Fans - Lance Armstrong to head up the 2010 AMGEN tour in Palmdale, Ca. May 21

Impressive Field of International and Domestic Cyclists Announced for 2010 Amgen Tour of California Coming to Palmdale on May 21

PALMDALE - The world-class roster of teams and cyclists* scheduled to participate in the 2010 Amgen Tour of California has been announced by race presenter AEG. An internationally sanctioned, professional cycling road race, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will host 16 teams, comprised of 127 riders, from 23 countries including seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong and three-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer, for the fifth-annual race taking place May 16 through May 23. Stage 6 of the race will kick off at Poncitlán Square in Palmdale May 21 at 9:30 am.

Read the whole line up, teams and updated news at:
http://www.avnewstodayonline.com/PalmdalePageAmgenTourHostCity.html

Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro.

Look at the roster.

Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro.

Look at the roster.

Nonsense.

Nonsense.

Now now Orion.

Hope my message didn't put you in a flood of tears.

Nonsense.

I don't see this happening, but I do see it as an attractive alternative for riders/team who have their sights set on the Tour. It is, and will steal some of the thunder from the Giro, but "overshadowing" it seems to be not likely in the foreseeable future.

Now now Orion.

Hope my message didn't put you in a flood of tears.

No, not at all. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's see if the ToC even survives 3 or 4 years after Lance retires from racing.

If the Giro remains a crash fest then it is possible.

But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's see if the ToC even survives 3 or 4 years after Lance retires from racing.

Now that is a much better answer. Good point.

Let's see if the ToC even survives 3 or 4 years after Lance retires from racing.

The tour of California was growing each year even without him.

The tour of California was growing each year even without him.

Yes, but we've had a few tours in the states that have grown for a few years, peaked, and then went under. Remember the Tour Dupont? Or event the Tour de Trump? Where is the Tour of Georgia? The Tour of Missouri is on financial life support. The ToC definitely has gotten some momentum over the past couple of years from Lance riding in it. Don't get me wrong, I want it to succeed. But its not in the league with the Giro yet and has a long way to go. Lance has a huge impact on the viewership of cycling in the U.S. We'll know where the ToC stands a year or two after Lance retires from racing.

Yes, but we've had a few tours in the states that have grown for a few years, peaked, and then went under. Remember the Tour Dupont? Or event the Tour de Trump? Where is the Tour of Georgia? The Tour of Missouri is on financial life support. The ToC definitely has gotten some momentum over the past couple of years from Lance riding in it. Don't get me wrong, I want it to succeed. But its not in the league with the Giro yet and has a long way to go. Lance has a huge impact on the viewership of cycling in the U.S. We'll know where the ToC stands a year or two after Lance retires from racing.

I never said anything about the Giro. All that I said was that the tour was growing without Lance. And he's only been in it the last year, not the past couple of years. My points was that it was growing just fine on it's own after he had retired the first time. The world does not revolve around Lance.

I never said anything about the Giro. All that I said was that the tour was growing without Lance. And he's only been in it the last year, not the past couple of years. My points was that it was growing just fine on it's own after he had retired the first time. The world does not revolve around Lance.

No, you didn't say anything about the Giro. However, my earlier reply was to someone who said the ToC would surpass the Giro. ("Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro. ") Then you commented upon my statement. As I was speaking towards the ToC/Giro comment, you jumped in. I was simply continuing on in that vein.

Sure, the world doesn't revolve around Lance. It revolves around money. And right now, Lance bring viewers. Viewers bring sponsors. Sponsors bring money. Look at how Versus geared its coverage of the TdF last year. They had a special little Lance tracker icon at the bottom of the screen just so everyone knew where he was. I hope the ToC continues to grow. But I'm also realistic about the general public's interest in the sport of cycling after Lance leaves.

But I'm also realistic about the general public's interest in the sport of cycling after Lance leaves.

I think the health/fitness craze that California seems to have over other States will be a factor.

I think the health/fitness craze that California seems to have over other States will be a factor.

I think there is some merit to that. Plus, it got the varied terrain and numerous large populated areas to role through every year. If the ToC doesn't last in the U.S., I don't know what will.

I didnt see Team Bahati on the roster. Does anyone know if they are racing in the TOC?

I didnt see Team Bahati on the roster. Does anyone know if they are racing in the TOC?

They are not.


No, you didn't say anything about the Giro. However, my earlier reply was to someone who said the ToC would surpass the Giro. ("Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro. ") Then you commented upon my statement. As I was speaking towards the ToC/Giro comment, you jumped in. I was simply continuing on in that vein.

I commented on the words that I quoted in my reply.


Sure, the world doesn't revolve around Lance. It revolves around money. And right now, Lance bring viewers. Viewers bring sponsors. Sponsors bring money. Look at how Versus geared its coverage of the TdF last year. They had a special little Lance tracker icon at the bottom of the screen just so everyone knew where he was. I hope the ToC continues to grow. But I'm also realistic about the general public's interest in the sport of cycling after Lance leaves.

Point. Missed. Whoosh.

I commented on the words that I quoted in my reply.



Point. Missed. Whoosh.

I know. And I do understand your point. In the grand scheme of things, neither of our points really matter.

Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro.

Look at the roster.

Who needs Astana, Sky or Katusha when you have Jelly Belly? And Levi has made me forget about Coppi.

But forget the roster, just look at those venues!

Palmdale is considered the Rome of the Antelope Valley. The irrigation ditches of Visalia rival the canals of Venice and the Motel 6 in Bakersfield has been compared with the ruins of Pompeii.

And if you can find any venue in Italy that rivals the grandeur of Modesto, I'll commission a bronze in your honor.

I think they are saving Fresno for the tenth year celebration.

Nice little race. Let's not get carried away.

Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro.

Look at the roster.



just.........


wow

Any large place has it's nice spots, and it's not-so-special ones. California has it's share of quaint/picturesque/historic places, and the Giro certainly passes through, and has it's termini at towns that the locals think are rather mundane. I'll grant there's less sprawl in Italy than in California, and the Giro certainly has far more history, but the ATOC is carving out a nice niche for itself.


Who needs Astana, Sky or Katusha when you have Jelly Belly? And Levi has made me forget about Coppi.

But forget the roster, just look at those venues!

Palmdale is considered the Rome of the Antelope Valley. The irrigation ditches of Visalia rival the canals of Venice and the Motel 6 in Bakersfield has been compared with the ruins of Pompeii.

And if you can find any venue in Italy that rivals the grandeur of Modesto, I'll commission a bronze in your honor.

I think they are saving Fresno for the tenth year celebration.

Nice little race. Let's not get carried away.

Palmdale is considered the Rome of the Antelope Valley. The irrigation ditches of Visalia rival the canals of Venice and the Motel 6 in Bakersfield has been compared with the ruins of Pompeii. And if you can find any venue in Italy that rivals the grandeur of Modesto, I'll commission a bronze in your honor.

You've gone along way to convince me Italy hasn't got any $hitholes. Is it all romance, wine & roses over there?. I have visited several times, so before you post the response, no BS.


But forget the roster, just look at those venues!

But I placed big emphasis on the roster as its an important part of the event. Granted there are some good riders at the Giro, but for me the bigger draw seems to be California. This could be telling us something for the future?.


But forget the roster, just look at those venues!

Lets have a mention for Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Mountains, The High Sierras, Carmel, San Francisco, Sausalito, Malibu/Malibu Hills, Napa Valleys etc etc etc... To quote Mr ZorroUK... ''California has it's share of quaint/picturesque/historic places''.

I heard that the night before the TDF prologue in Rotterdam this year, many competitors plan to get a good night's sleep.
Not gonna be too long before sleeping overshadows being awake.

I heard that the night before the TDF prologue in Rotterdam this year, many competitors plan to get a good night's sleep.
Not gonna be too long before sleeping overshadows being awake.


http://learnmore.lawbore.net/images/thumb/4/47/Knowyourjudge-bemused.jpg/180px-Knowyourjudge-bemused.jpg

Lets have a mention for Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada Mountains, The High Sierras, Carmel, San Francisco, Sausalito, Malibu/Malibu Hills, Napa Valleys etc etc etc... To quote Mr ZorroUK... ''California has it's share of quaint/picturesque/historic places''.

I guess I only saw the actual race itinerary, not the BF fantasy route.

Yes, If pigs fly and Lee Vining can come up with the scratch to host a TOC finish, it would be just fab. If my ass was purple I'd be the head baboon. Alaska is picturesque as all get out so I'm pretty sure, based on your protocol, that it will soon overshadow the TDF too, once they actually get a bicycle race going up there. The climb up Denali is going to be epic.

You know how you can tell the TOC doesn't really matter? There are a total of 6 replies about who might win the TOC, and all of them predict that Levi will win. The buzz should be about who might win, not who is showing up.

Again, nice little race (or training ride). But Mancebo in the rain isn't Andy on the Gavia.

BTW, Malibu... picturesque and historic? Only compared to Riverside.

http://www.1adventure.com/archives/images/malibu-beach-california-2004.jpg

Try Mendocino.

^ chuckle... I'm familiar with that dumpy stretch of Malibu. You have to head up, or see it at a distance to appreciate the magic.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/ptdume5810.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/MCroadc-1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/shuren410.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f140/michsis/rockstoretop.jpg

Palmdale is considered the Rome of the Antelope Valley.

Are you friggin kidding me? Have you been to Palmdale, California? Lets see, oppressive heat, brown scraggly vegetation, garbage littering the roadways, ghettos, gangbangers, crime, drugs, etc. I've not been to Rome, but I didn't know it was like that...

Not gonna be too long before this Tour overshadows the Giro.

Look at the roster.

If you are talking about here, on BF, it seems to already have happened.

Are you friggin kidding me? Have you been to Palmdale, California? Lets see, oppressive heat, brown scraggly vegetation, garbage littering the roadways, ghettos, gangbangers, crime, drugs, etc. I've not been to Rome, but I didn't know it was like that...

I've been to Palmdale a lot. My tongue was pretty firmly planted in my cheek on that one.

And Kid...everything looks better from the air. Malibu is way down on the list of scenic/historic places in the state.

I hope the TOC coverage isn't a Lance show. He's looks like he's done. He may get top 10 at the TOC, but the TDF isn't looking good. Top 20.

Woo... this stage is a snooooozer!

Woo... this stage is a snooooozer!


I agree, with only a week of racing , you gotta make each stage interesting. For a Sunday race, this is bad.

I agree, with only a week of racing , you gotta make each stage interesting. For a Sunday race, this is bad.

It looked like the road to paris stage... Everyone enjoying the ride and a sprint finish. Unfortunately, the most exciting thing was the accidents in the loop finish. Hope everyone's okay. Boonen got roughed up.

I've been to Palmdale a lot. My tongue was pretty firmly planted in my cheek on that one.



Oh. Whoops...

I agree, with only a week of racing , you gotta make each stage interesting. For a Sunday race, this is bad.


It looked like the road to paris stage... Everyone enjoying the ride and a sprint finish. Unfortunately, the most exciting thing was the accidents in the loop finish. Hope everyone's okay. Boonen got roughed up.

+1. Looked more like a charity ride for most of it. Definitely got the sense that it was more of training ride than guys trying to win outside of a couple of sprinters. Seemed very tame in comparison to the first week of chaotic racing in the Giro. Hopefully things will pick up tomorrow.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/jnoffsinger/lance1.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s240/jnoffsinger/lance2.jpg

:D (I didn't zoom in. photo has not been retouched)

sierra road is nasty