Tour of California will finish in Thousand Oaks





FINAL STAGE—Racers cross the finish line in Thousand Oaks during this year’s Tour of California cycling race.

FINAL STAGE—Racers cross the finish line in Thousand Oaks during this year’s Tour of California cycling race.

For the second straight year, the Conejo Valley will serve as the finish line for Amgen’s Tour of California bicycle race.

Race organizers announced last week the eight-day, 800-mile road race will start May 15 in South Lake Tahoe. From there, the world’s top cyclists will race in stages through 15 cities before finishing up May 22 in Thousand Oaks. It will be the third time in the race’s six-year history that T.O. has hosted a stage of the race.

“The city is thrilled to . . . host the final stage of this world-class event,” said Andrew Powers, a spokesperson for the city of Thousand Oaks. “During the 2010 race, our community garnered significant positive international exposure and local businesses experienced increased sales. We’re looking forward to building on this past success to make the 2011 event even better.”

The race, which will be televised nationally on a yetto be-named network, brings visitors from all over the world to California to see cycling’s biggest stars.

“In 2011 we plan to continue to showcase the beautiful features the state of California has to offer, while also continuing to raise the bar for what it means to be the largest, most important cycling race in America,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, the event’s organizer.

Jill Lederer, president of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, said past tours have been a boon to area businesses.

“Hotels and restaurants were extremely busy last year,” she said. “This year we want to work with individual businesses, businesses (that) are willing to work together on pre-race and race day celebration events.”

Mike Cicchi, owner of Newbury Park Bicycle Shop, said it’s a special treat for local cycling enthusiasts to have the race end in their own backyard.

“Our customers are excited that the teams will be coming to town and spending a few days riding, eating dinners here and staying at our hotels,” Cicchi said.

Amgen, the race’s title sponsor, is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Thousand Oaks.

For more information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.