Looks like a great race in 2011. I live just a few blocks away from Amgen’s corporate headquarters and it is always a treat when the race ends in Thousand Oaks.

AEG Sports president Andrew Messick says the 800-mile Amgen Tour of California will begin May 15 at South Lake Tahoe and end May 22 in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Carol Chaplin of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority says it’s a big deal for the local economy. She says it will put the lake on the map of “must ride” trips around the country.

Auburn is among the newcomers on the 15-stage route; also Livermore, Claremont and Mt. Baldy. The other stops are Sacramento, Modesto, San Jose, Seaside, Paso Robles, Solvang and Santa Clarita.

The first stage ends at Tahoe’s Northstar ski resort. Stage 2 starts at Squaw Valley USA, host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, before heading to Sacramento.

The tour will visit 15 Host Cities in all for official stage starts and finishes. Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

    * Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
    * Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
    * Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
    * Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
    * Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside to Paso Robles
    * Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
    * Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
    * Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks