Following the forced cancellation of stage one due to the snowy weather conditions [e.d. - road conditions for stage 1 at Lake Tahoe pictured], organizers of the Amgen Tour of California have decided to proactively move the stage two start to avoid further race complications from Mother Nature. Originally the stage was set to start at the Squaw Valley ski resort, but it has now been moved to Nevada City, California to avoid potential weather issues.
"Due to uncertain weather and road conditions, race organizers have determined that the best way to ensure a complete course for Stage 2 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is to move the official start to 12:15 p.m. PT today to a location on Broad Street in Nevada City, California," the organization said in a statement.
"Following the peloton’s 12:15 p.m. PT departure from Nevada City, California, the riders will travel approximately 61 miles to Sacramento, picking up the original Stage 2 route," it continued. "The riders will enter Sacramento at approximately 3 p.m. PT and complete three circuit laps before finishing in front of the Capitol Building between 3:30 and 3:45 p.m. PT. The race’s original schedule called for only one complete circuit, but due to the modified course, the additional two circuits were able to be added."
Contingency plans were credited to the local organizing committee from last year's opening stage, and will hopefully mark the end of complications for America's premiere stage race.
“Thanks to the quick action taken by Duane Strawser, Nevada City’s 2010 local organizing committee (LOC) chairman, we were able to make this location change, allowing us a great and practical location to lead off today’s race,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race.
Last year the race kicked off there meaning organizers could make a quick decision.
“Nevada City did an outstanding job hosting the first stage of the 2010 race and we know that the riders and fans will appreciate the return. We owe a debt of gratitude to Andy Chapman, Carol Chaplin and everyone in Squaw Valley, who worked tirelessly to create what would have been an exceptional Stage 2 start and hope that we will have an opportunity to bring the Amgen Tour of California to the city in a future year.”
Organizers said an updated Stage 2 course map and log will be posted on the official race website later this morning.