Here they come: Amgen 2010 bike race to start in Nevada City

Photo by Bob Lickter A large crowd that packed the Nevada City Hall chambers erupts into applause when it was announced that the Amgen Tour of California 2010 will start in Nevada City.

“It’s here because Amgen was so impressed with the Nevada City Bicycle Classic. We’re so indebted to Lance Armstrong. He was one of Nevada City’s biggest cheerleaders.” - Reinette Senum, mayor of Nevada City

For the first time, the Amgen Tour of California will start its race in Nevada City, it was announced this morning.

  Nevada City Hall chambers were packed when the announcement came that Stage 1 of the 2010 race would start here on May 16. In addition, Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced today that he will participate in the race.

  In June, thousands of people filled the streets of Nevada City to watch Armstrong win the Nevada City Bicycle Classic.

  “This is really gigantic,” Nevada City Mayor Reinette Senum said after the announcement. “It’s here because Amgen was so impressed with the Nevada City Bicycle Classic. We’re so indebted to Lance Armstrong. He was one of Nevada City’s biggest cheerleaders.”

  Nevada City is one of five new cities on the route that will stop at 16 cities over eight days and cover 750 miles in California.

  "Choosing the host cities for the Amgen Tour  of California gets more and more difficult every year as interest in the race continues to grow," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG sports. "We are fortunate to have visited some of the best cities in the state during the last four yours and the list keeps growing with the addition of brand new cities in 2010."

 The race stages are as follows:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 16 - Nevada City to Sacramento

Stage 2: May 17 - Davis to Santa Rosa

Stage 3: May 18 - San Francisco to Santa Cruz

Stage 4: May 19 - San Jose to Modesto 

Stage 5: May 20 - Visalia to Bakersfield

Stage 6: May 21 - Pasadena to Big Bear Lake

Stage 7: May 22 - Los Angeles (individual time trial)

Stage 8: Sunday, May 23 - Thousand Oaks/Westlake