Mount Baldy will Crown an even Tougher 2019 Tour of California
North America's Premier Stage Race will take riders higher and farther than ever before after the route was revealed
The seven-stage men’s race begins May 12 in Sacramento, and will cover 773 miles and gain more than 68,000 feet in elevation.
More than half the stages will cover at least 120 miles, and the sixth stage could produce the overall winner when riders reach the brutal summit of Mt. Baldy.
The three-stage women’s race, which begins May 16, covers most of the same routes as the men’s race. It will be the toughest women's race in history at nearly 180 miles with 20,800 feet in elevation gain.
Photo: Fans go Crazy at Cookie Corner at last year's Tour of California!
The 2019 Amgen Tour of California will cover a variety of terrain showcasing many of California’s most well-known and iconic settings and landmarks allowing different types of specialists in the peloton to shine throughout the week.
With several fast and flat sections on tap in Sacramento, Morgan Hill and Pasadena catering to sprinters (not to mention a start overlooking the famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca motor speedway), climbers will face challenges in South Lake Tahoe, the Diablo Mountain Range outside Stockton where they will reach an elevation of 4,625 feet, and on multiple climbs between Pismo Beach and Ventura. Fans and teams alike will count down to the men’s and women’s Queen Stages from Ontario to Mt. Baldy, which will feature a grueling 26-mile fan-favorite climb to the summit finish, a day that will shake up the leaderboard and can make or break the quest for the overall victory.
The Tour of California has emerged as a crucial Tour de France proving ground over the past 14 years with many of the top European riders making the trek to the U.S. Team and rider selections are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Men’s Stages
Sunday, May 12: Stage 1 — Sacramento, 142.9km
Monday, May 13: Stage 2 — Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe, 193.9km
Tuesday, May 14: Stage 3 — Stockton to Morgan Hill, 207km
Wednesday, May 15: Stage 4 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay, 221.8km
Thursday, May 16: Stage 5 — Pismo Beach to Ventura, 217.9km
Friday, May 17: Stage 6 — Ontario to Mt. Baldy, 127km
Saturday, May 18: Stage 7 — Santa Clarita to Pasadena, 141km
Women’s Stages
Thursday, May 16: Stage 1 — Ventura, 95.9km
Friday, May 17: Stage 2 — Ontario to Mt. Baldy, 73.9km
Saturday, May 18: Stage 3 — Santa Clarita to Pasadena, 115km
VIDEO: Discover the 2019 Route
