January 25/06 2:43 am - Troubles at Tour of California?

Posted by Editor on 01/25/06
 

Troubles at Tour of California?

The Amgen Tour of California is less than a month away now (February 19-26), but there rumours surfacing that the event may be having some difficulties with routes for some stages. The seven stage event runs south along the Pacific coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which is one of the most populated areas of the state. It appears that the organizers (AEG) are having problems with road closures - not surprising given the volume of cars on California roads (and the aversion of politicians to upseting voting automobile owners). The most significant route problem we have heard of concerns Stage 5, from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara (February 24th). The first of two major climbs in the stage is on Highway 154, near Solvang. It appears that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has refused to close the route for the requested four hour period. The organizers are working to find a new route, however, it would remove one of the major climbs in the race.