Tour of California sets tough route for 2016
The eleventh edition of the race between San Diego and Sacramento will feature 2014 winner Sir Bradley Wiggins ahead of the Rio Olympics
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nV6Cfwe94jkgshqZPG5aJd-415-80.jpg)
The route for the 2016 Tour of California has been revealed, with the eleventh edition of the race starting in San Diego and travelling north across eight stages to the overall finish in the state capital Sacramento on May 22.
Sir Bradley Wiggins has confirmed he will participate in the race as he prepares for the Olympic road race in Rio that August.
Wiggins won this race in 2014 but was not present for the 2015 edition, which was won by current world champion Peter Sagan.
The race will begin in San Diego with stage one starting and finishing in the city, before the race heads to South Pasadena for the start of stage two, which looks likely to end in a sprint finish in Santa Clarita, hosting a stage of the tour for the eleventh time.
The general classification contenders will get their first big test in stage three, with a mountaintop finish at Gibraltar Road making its first appearence in the Tour of California.
Stage four will take place between two first-time hosts, Morro Bay and Monterrey County, before the GC riders tackle a long day of climbing on stage five between Lodi and South Lake Tahoe which will feature the highest elevation ever included in the Tour of California, a whopping 8,600 feet above sea level.
How much speed can money buy?
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Tour of California Women's Race, the first US event on inaugral UCI Women's World Tour, will also run in conjunction with the men's race from stage five onwards and will start and finish from the same cities, with the exception of stage five which for the women will start and finish from South Lake Tahoe.
Stage six returns to the scene of Bradley Wiggins' emphatic victory in the 2014 edition's time trial with a circuit against the clock around Folsom that could prove decisive for the overall classification. Stage six of the women's race will feature a team time trial around the same course.
Stage seven will incorporate a section of Levi's Gran Fondo, the amateur race run by three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer, and will start and finish in Santa Rosa, before the final stage of the race starts and finishes in Sacramento.
Wiggins will be looking to become the third European winner in a row and the fourth in five years following Robert Gesink's win in 2012.
The Tour of California has been kind to European riders in the past, with all four classification winners from the 2015 race coming from Europe.
Overall winner Peter Sagan was joined on the final podium by points classification winner Mark Cavendish, king of the mountains Daniel Oss and Julian Alaphilippe who took the jersey for best young rider.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Bradley Wiggins joins Lance Armstrong for Tour de France podcast
The former Tour de France winner will be appearing on The Move for the next week
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bradley Wiggins declared bankrupt - reports
The Tour de France winner was in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement since 2020
By Adam Becket Published
-
Peter Sagan given suspended prison sentence for drink driving offence
Three-time road world champion also banned from driving for three months, on eve of Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Eyeing the Olympic mountain bike race in Paris, Peter Sagan will retire from WorldTour racing at season's end
Finishing how he started, the former road world champion will race one last mountain bike-focused year in 2024
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins: Abuse contributed to making me a great cyclist
The Tour de France winner is part of a new NSPCC campaign to help people spot the signs of child abuse
By Adam Becket Published