PRESS RELEASE: As one of the tri-city finish-line hosts, the Agoura Hills community announced it will be organizing special venues for spectator viewing of Stage 8, the final circuit race of the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) on May 23. Visitors may find the special events taking place within the city at www.amgentourconejo.org in the upcoming weeks before the event. Additional visitor information on things to do while in Agoura Hills may also be found on the city’s website, www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us, visitor link.
“We want visitors to discover just how unique Agoura Hills is,†says Mayor Harry Schwarz. “We specialize in original restaurants, shops, attractions and nightlife that you won’t find anywhere else.â€Â
The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course while raising awareness for cancer. Among the cyclists competing in this year’s event are Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, and Dave Zabriskie, said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports and the race’s controller.
The course for Stage 8, which is the final day of the event taking place in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Agoura Hills, was described on the ATOC website as: “If ever there was a chance to see the leader and sprint jerseys change on the final day, it will be here.†Spectators will witness the riders competing on one of the most scenic yet challenging climbs of the race. The Agoura Hills segment of Stage 8 is where riders will break out from city streets and begin their ascent into the Santa Monica Mountains’ winding and steep terrain.
The video of the Stage 8 announcement included an interview with George Hincapie while he was staying in Agoura Hills and training. “Stage 8 with its climbs, like that by the Rock Store, will be an epic battle and a great show for fans.†Over 2 million spectators are estimated to watch the 120 professional cyclists.
The Agoura Hills community is gearing up to host Stage 8 and related events throughout the city for fans to cheer on their favorite cyclists. Malibu Family Wines, a sponsor of the event, announced it is releasing a “King of the Mountain Cuvee†in honor of the event on March 27, from 3 – 6 pm. Spectators will be able to watch riders pass by during the four-lap circuit and also enjoy the entire race inside the winery’s picturesque setting on jumbo trons (more info at www.malibufamilywines.com). Other popular establishments in Agoura Hills along the route, such as Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie and Padri’s Restaurant, announced they will be open during the race and setting up special viewing activities. Agoura Hills’ hotels, restaurants, bakeries, shops and night clubs are all gearing up to accommodate tourists and show them a special weekend.
Other events associated with the tour include a Breakaway Ride on April 11 where the public can ride a portion of the 80-mile Stage 8 route. This ride is associated with the Breakaway from Cancer effort that supports the important programs and tools offered by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Wellness Community. For the first time in the race’s five-year history the route will travel through the city of Los Angeles and Stage 7, the individual time trial and a significant stage of the race, will take place in the heart of downtown, on Saturday, May 22. Malibu Family Wines will also be hosting an event to watch Stage 7 on jumbo trons during a “Taste of the Tour†family-friendly event.
