2014 AMGEN Tour (Photo – Vahe Simonyan, Staff).
Starting in front of California’s State Capitol building, AMGEN’s 2015 final race will, once again, end in Pasadena.
The first two stages are the flattest and should make for exciting moments with the world’s best sprinters facing-off. As for uphill challenges, riders will be tested by more than 43,000 feet of climbing throughout their eight days on the course including much anticipated encounters with Mount Hamilton and Mt. Baldy.
The final decisive days of the race will be highlighted by the Individual Time Trial set in beautiful, high-altitude Big Bear Lake and the Queen Stage finish at the top of Mt. Baldy with its 1,900-foot elevation gain in the final 4.3 miles, over eight percent average gradient.
The final race day will begin at L.A. LIVE, and the overall title will be up for grabs at the finish line at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
May 17, 2015 – Stage 8
Stage 8 route will celebrate the uniqueness of L.A. by highlighting countless iconic images in downtown L.A. and a tour through the heart of several L.A. neighborhoods.
The day will begin in the heart of L.A.’s famous sports and entertainment district. The start line will span Chick Hearn Court and connect STAPLES Center (home of the Stanley Cup Champion LA Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers) and L.A. LIVE (home of the annual GRAMMY, Emmy and Espy Awards).
Los Angeles
The early morning start will begin with a 5-mile circuit that incorporates a portion of the 2010 Time Trial route. The circuit will highlight the Biltmore Hotel, Pershing Square, City Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Los Angeles Music Center, STAPLES Center, and L.A. LIVE.
Destination: Pasadena
Upon completing five laps and an hour of racing in downtown L.A., the race will head north to its ultimate conclusion in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl. The neighborhoods of Downtown L.A., Chinatown, Lincoln Heights, Cypress Park, Mount Washington, Montecito Heights, Highland Park and Eagle Rock will all get a chance to watch the peloton race over their streets.
Entering Pasadena on Colorado Blvd., the Colorado Street Bridge will reprise its 2014 role as a backdrop to the beautiful Arroyo Seco. As the peloton drops into Arroyo Seco Park and the familiar environs of the Rose Bowl, the riders will do nearly one complete 3.1-mile circuit of the Rose Bowl before reaching the finish line on West Drive. The lap counter will read seven laps to go, after which the winner of the 2015 Amgen Tour of California will take his place on the podium.
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