Yes indeed. On Sunday, February 19, 128 riders left San Francisco to compete in an eight-stage, 600 mile
race through scenic California. Competitors will race down the coast, crossing finish lines in San Francisco,
Santa Rosa, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Thousand Oaks and eventually completing the event in pretty little
Redondo Beach.
This year’s “Tour of California” is the
inaugural race in what organizers hope will become as prestigious as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and the Spanish
Vuelta. Indeed, it has already attracted such cycling stars as Paolo Savoldelli, winner of last year’s Giro
d’Italia, and Bobby Julich who won a 2004 Olympic bronze medal.
With California Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger handing out the yellow jersey for the first stage, expect some very fierce competition indeed.