Following two waves of information about this year’s race, the organisers of the Amgen Tour of California has concluded its drip-feeding of this year’s route, releasing details of the final two stages. The top stage race in the country will continue on Saturday May 21st with a tough stage starting in Claremont and concluding at the summit finish of Mt. Baldy Ski Resort, and is certain to have a major impact on the general classification. It is also the setting for l’Etape due California, which will take place two weeks earlier.
The stage comes after the stage six time trial and could once again upend the overall standings. The 75.8 mile (121.9) stage will begin with two neutral circuits in the college town of Claremont, serving to loosen the riders up prior to the first KOM of the day, an eight mile climb to the village of Baldy. This comes just 3.5 miles after the start and could have an explosive effect on the peloton.
After crossing the summit, the riders will turn onto Glendora Ridge Road and continue climbing for another mile. Long descents take them to Glendora for the sole intermediate sprint of the day, after which they will hit the Glendora Mountain road for a nine mile climb.
Once back in Baldy village, those battling for yellow will encounter a three mile ramp on Baldy Road, then the start of the climb proper at At Ice House Canyon. Ten switchbacks pepper the next 2.5 miles, with torturously steep ramps certain to shatter the various groups, then inside the final 500 metres five more hairpin bends follow to really finish things off.
Once the fireworks of stage seven have settled, the riders will have one last shuffle of the deck on the final leg from Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks.
This 80.2 (129.1 kilometre) stage is mainly flat, but will include one last King of the Mountains ascent; the short, but extremely steep Balcolm Canyon. It is followed by an unclassified climb at Norwegian Grade, then the peloton will speed onwards to the concluding five laps of a four-mile finishing circuit. A bunch sprint is almost guaranteed but if things are still tight at the top, expect some last-gasp attacks as the toughest-ever edition of the race comes to a close.