Tour of California
Where: USA
Rank: WorldTour (men) | WorldTour (women)
The Tour of California 2019 was made up of a seven-stage men’s race and three-stage women’s edition.
Since it started in 2006, the Tour of California has become a premier race not just in the US, but for many top riders from around the world. For 2019, the men’s race ran from May 12-18, and the women’s from May 16-18.
The Tour of California is a great race to watch on television, with the stunning backdrop of the Californian scenery shown off by aerial footage of the peloton snaking its way through the countryside.
The race is in both the UCI Men’s WorldTour series and the UCI Women’s WorldTour series and the sunny shores of the famous American state are attracting some of the biggest names as an alternative to the Giro d’Italia in Europe.
However, the weather can be as challenging as the race route, with both heavy snowfall and extremely high temperatures affecting various editions in recent years.
In October 2019, it was announced the race would be put on hiatus, with hopes that it will be re-launched for 2021. It was claimed the ‘business fundamentals’ of the race had changed.
Tour of California 2019 Stages: men’s race
| Stage 1 – Sun May 12 | Sacramento to Sacramento | 143km | Flat |
| Stage 2 – Mon May 13 | Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe | 194.5km | Mountain |
| Stage 3 – Tues May 14 | Stockton to Morgan Hill | 207km | Mountain |
| Stage 4 – Weds May 15 | Laguna Seca to Morro Bay | 212.5km | Hilly |
| Stage 5 – Thurs May 16 | Pismo Beach to Ventura | 218.5km | Hilly |
| Stage 6 – Fri May 17 | Ontario to Mount Baldy | 127.5km | Mountain |
| Stage 7 – Sat May 18 | Santa Clarita to Pasadena | 141km | Mountain |
Tour of California 2019 Stages: women’s race
| Stage 1 – Thurs May 16 | Ventura to Ventura | 96.5km |
| Stage 2 – Fri May 17 | Ontario to Mt Baldy | 74km |
| Stage 3 – Sat May 18 | Santa Clarita to Pasadena | 126km |
Tour of California: Recent winners (men)
2019 Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates
2018 Egan Bernal (Col) Team Sky
2017 George Bennett (NZ) Team LottoNL-Jumbo
2016 Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Etixx-QuickStep
2015 Peter Sagan (Slv) Tinkoff
2014 Bradley Wiggins (GBR) Sky
2013 Tejay van Garderen (USA) BMC
2012 Robert Gesink (Hol) Rabobank
2011 Chris Horner (USA) RadioShack
2010 Michael Rogers (Aus) HTC-Columbia
2009 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
2008 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana
Tour of California: Recent winners (women)
2019 Anna van der Breggen (Hol) Boels-Dolmans
2018 Katie Hall (USA) United Health Care
2017 Anna Van Der Breggen (Hol) Boels-Dolmans
2016 Megan Guarnier (USA) Boels-Dolmans
2015 Trixi Worrack (Ger) Velocio-SRAM
Info: Men’s start list | TV guide
External links: Official website | Twitter – @AmgenTourofCali
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Watch: Katusha-Alpecin staff suspended after emptying septic tank in lay-by at Tour of California
Two Katusha-Alpecin staff members have been suspended after being filmed emptying a septic tank at the side of the road at the Tour of California.
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'I would have been happy with top 20': Team Sky's Jon Dibben reflects on his first pro win
Jon Dibben was understandably delighted to take his first pro win at the Tour of California, revealing that a top 20 finish would have been good enough.
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Toms Skujins recovering from concussion after scary Tour of California crash
Cannondale-Drapac have provided an update on the condition of Toms Skujins as he recovers from concussion after a heavy crash at the Tour of California.
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Rafal Majka takes overall lead of Tour of California after winning thrilling stage two
Rafal Majka beat George Bennett to the line for the stage honours as a breakaway made it to the finish of stage two of the Tour of California
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Marcel Kittel sprints to Tour of California stage one victory ahead of Peter Sagan
Marcel Kittel was unmatched in power and takes the overall lead after stage one of the Tour of California
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These are the seven riders who will support Peter Sagan at the Tour of California
Bora-Hansgrohe have revealed their line-up for the Tour of California, with a strong team travelling to America to support world champion Peter Sagan.
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Tao Geoghegan Hart pays tribute to former team-mate Chad Young
Tao Geoghegan Hart remembers his old team-mate on the roads of Yorkshire and says ‘it serves as a reminder to make the most of every day’
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Ian Boswell handed chance to lead Team Sky in Tour of California
25-year-old American Ian Boswell has been given his first chance to lead a major stage race for Team Sky, and says it's a 'pivotal point' in his career
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Mark Cavendish wins stage eight of the Tour of California as Alaphilippe wraps up overall title
Mark Cavendish wins the final stage of the Tour of California, denying double stage winner Peter Sagan in the sprint in state capital Sacramento
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Rohan Dennis wins Tour of California time trial as Julian Alaphilippe retains overall lead
Julian Alaphilippe puts in a strong ride to place eighth behind stage winner Rohan Dennis to edge closer to overall victory in the Tour of California
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Julian Alaphilippe maintains overall lead as Tom Skujins wins Tour of California stage five
The Latvian Cannondale rider won after being in the breakaway for much of the 213km stage to Lake Tahoe
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Peter Sagan wins stage four of the Tour of California
World champion Peter Sagan takes the stage win at the Laguna Seca raceway as Julian Alaphilippe safely defends overall Tour of California lead
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Peter Kennaugh breaks collarbone in Tour of California crash
British road race champion Peter Kennaugh forced to quit Tour of California after breaking collarbone in crash on stage three
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Julian Alaphilippe takes Tour of California lead as Peter Kennaugh crashes out
Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe wins stage three of the 2016 Tour of California to claim the overall race lead
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Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish looking relaxed at the Tour of California
Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish competing in the Tour of California after completing a training camp at Big Bear with Great Britain team-mates
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Peter Sagan wins Tour of California stage one
Last year's Tour of California winner Peter Sagan sprints to win the opening stage of the 2016 race as Mark Cavendish is ruled out
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Mark Cavendish confirmed for Tour of California start on Sunday
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Peter Kennaugh relishing prospect of racing Tour of California after illness
Team Sky's Peter Kennaugh ready to race at the Tour of California this weekend, after overcoming sickness this spring
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Peter Sagan to return to Amgen Tour of California as defending champion
Peter Sagan is not confident of retaining his Tour of California title, but will instead be focussing on adding stage wins to his impressive tally
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Team Sky announce Tour of California line-up
British road race champion Peter Kennaugh in Sky's seven-man roster for 2016 Tour of California (May 15-22)
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Greg Van Avermaet targeting Tour of California comeback
Greg Van Avermaet will not defend his Belgium Tour title in May, instead making his comeback at the Amgen Tour of California
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Amgen Tour of California 2016 route: Laguna Seca race track to host stage finish
The 2016 Tour of California is only the second in 11 editions that will travel from south to north, starting in San Diego and ending in Sacramento
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Tour of California sets tough route for 2016
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Cavendish wins final stage in California as Sagan takes thrilling title
