On Higher Ground: The 2008 Amgen Tour of California Route

Bruce Hildenbrand
For Active.com

In 2006, the first year of the Amgen Tour of California, I asked then Discovery Channel team director Johan Bruyneel what he thought of the race route. He remarked that the course was a good mix of flats and climbs for an early-season race. The route remained mostly the same for 2007, but the course for 2008 includes much more climbing than in previous years. With two ascents over 4,000 feet and one just a hair below 5,000 feet, the peloton will not only spend more time in the small chainring, but it could be a wee bit cold as well!

More to the point, is the course too difficult for a season-opening race? Unfortunately, when the Amgen Tour of California was talking to European pro teams, the only real opening in their busy racing schedule was in February. Part of the allure for the Euros heading nine time zones west was the opportunity to get in some early-season miles in a warm climate. These teams are looking at a long season in the saddle, and with most of them having European sponsors, this race is not necessarily of the highest priority.

In the past, teams could be aggressive because the course offered chances for them to rest. That may not be the case in 2008. It will be interesting to see who the European teams send to California. Obviously, Team Astana will be bringing Levi Leipheimer, the defending champion, but other squads may respond by leaving some of their marquee riders at home.

Certainly, the U.S.-based squads like Team Slipstream, Health Net-Maxxis and Toyota-United will be fully prepared to match the Europeans. Hopefully they will be up to the task.

Easy Start Short Lived

The race kicks off Sunday, February 17, with a new location for the prologue time trial. Palo Alto and Stanford University will serve as the backdrop for the 2.1-mile test which, unlike in previous years, will be flat as a pancake. The short length and lack of difficulty will most likely keep all the overall contenders tightly bunched. If Fabian Cancellara of Team CSC attends like he did last year, bet your over-priced Silicon Valley mortgage on the two-time world champion.

Stage 1, a 97-mile jaunt from Sausalito to Santa Rosa, is basically identical to last year's first stage. The selection will most likely come on the climb of Coleman Valley Road, but good teamwork can bring back any escapees before the downtown circuits of Santa Rosa. Hopefully, there will be no mass pile-ups as we saw in 2007. There are way too many lane demarcation dots on the downtown circuit to be considered safe. Luck is the key word here.

Stage 2 from Santa Rosa to Sacramento is 116 mostly flat miles where wind can play a big role in the closing miles to the capital city. Again, a replay of 2007 and if the teams co-operate, look for another bunch kick to the line.

Epic Day on the Way to San Jose

Stage 3 is where the race really begins. Featuring a new climb up the east side of 4,360-foot Mount Hamilton before tackling the grueling Sierra Road—if the pros decide to race this stage all out, it could be carnage. The final five miles up Mount Hamilton (if it isn't snowing) average 9 percent, and with the 10 to 15 percent slopes of Sierra Road looming ahead, the favorites will probably ride tempo here. This is a great opportunity for lesser-knowns to gain some face time. Look for small groups across the line after the real selection is made on Sierra Road at the end of this 103-mile test.

Stage 4 is the marquee day of the Amgen Tour of California and is unchanged for 2008. Covering over 130 miles and accumulating over 8,000 feet of climbing from Seaside to San Luis Obispo, the route follows Highway 1 past Big Sur and Hearst Castle before the suicide finish in SLO. Favorable tailwinds usually doom any breakaway to failure, but if a storm comes in and the wind switches to the south, look for some real excitement.

The time trial on Stage 5 in Solvang has been lengthened from 11 to 15 miles. The longer the time trial, the bigger the advantage for the best time trialists—good news for riders like Leipheimer, who could repeat his victory here from 2007 if he is in contention for the win.

Stage 6, 109 miles from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita, provided the most fireworks in 2007 when incessant attacks against a weakened Discovery Channel team almost spelled doom for Leipheimer and a victory for Michael Rogers. As the long miles and climbing of the race begin to take their toll, a concerted effort by several of the race's stronger teams could pay big dividends. If not, another sprint finish may be in the offing.

A Perilous Pitch into Pasedena

The final stage, 93 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, is completely new for 2008. Gone is the ceremonially-tame circuit race, replaced by more climbing—including the race's Cima Schwarzenegger, Mill Creek Summit, the highest point of the event at 4,906 feet of elevation. The 2,200-foot descent of Highway 2 into Pasadena will be a barn burner. Unfortunately, six 5-mile laps will be completed around the famous Rose Bowl, so any small group that gets away on the climb or the descent will have to be both organized and motivated to stay in front through the finish.

Eight days, 674 miles, and lots and lots of climbing await the racers for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. On paper the route looks pretty tough for February, and it remains to be seen how the course will be received by the teams. Hopefully, everybody will be in a racing mood but smart enough to allow everyone to catch their breaths once and a while.