The inability to have a local winery or wineries sponsoring the start or finish seems to be a real problem. Apparently a conflict with another sponsor of the entire Amgen won't allow for it, a not insignificant problem in Livermore hosting a start or finish.
Couple that with the fact that it cripples the access for wine tourism for almost a full two days of the busy season, and you have an unhappy bunch (seewhatIdidthere?) of business owners that are critical to your City's growth and image as a winery destination.