Long Beach Will Host 2007 Amgen Tour of California Finale
by Anthony D. Morrow / ADM - imadm.com
07/20/06 - "On February 25, 2007 a champion will be crowned in Long Beach!" reads the banner hanging inside Smooth's Sports Grille in Downtown Long Beach. Inside, Long Beach's city council members and staff, representatives from the Amgen Tour of California and Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), local media and others gathered to hear the official host cities announcement and specifically to celebrate that Long Beach will be the final destination of next year's tour.
From February 18-25, 2007, the Amgen Tour of California will showcase more than 650 miles of scenic California highways, roadways, and coastline drives. Host cities include San Francisco, Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Stockton, San Jose, Seaside, San Luis Obisbo, Solvang, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clarita. Last year's final stage was fought on the streets of Redondo Beach, but Long Beach will host the eigth and final day circuit race in 2007. The final stage's course, expected to use some of the same streets as the Toyota Grand Prix, is yet to be finalized.
Shawn Hunter, AEG Sports President, and Bob Foster, Long Beach Mayor, made the official announcement to the crowd, then followed up with photos and interviews for the media. Neil Browne, Road Magazine's Editorial Director, took in the news and arranged for Long Beach's local pro racer, Tony Cruz of the Toyota-United Cycling Team, to ride by and make an appearance before his training ride to Palos Verdes.
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