News - Local

Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2008

Paso to announce today that it's a host city for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Word of city’s involvement in 2009 cycling race is expected to be shared at news conference today

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The city of Paso Robles is expected to announce its selection as a host city for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California at a news conference set for this morning.

Details regarding the fourth annual cycling race, which has never been to Paso Robles, were being kept under wraps Tuesday.

But the scheduling of the announcement is a sure bet the city is involved in some way in the 2009 Tour, a weeklong stage race that begins in Northern California and ends in Southern California and is based on the format of the Tour de France.

Host cities for the past three California tours have traditionally held summer news conferences to announce their involvement in the race.

San Luis Obispo, which has been a host city for the Tour since the race began, is not holding such an announcement this year, fueling speculation that Paso Robles aced out the county’s largest city in a bid to welcome the professional cyclists, fans and associated personnel.

Betsy Kiser, parks and recreation director for San Luis Obispo, confirmed Tuesday that the city is not hosting a Tour stage in 2009.

Paso Robles city officials confirmed earlier this month that they submitted a proposal to host part of this year’s race.

Solvang, which has hosted the race’s time trial the day after the riders stopped for the night in San Luis Obispo County the past two years, also has an announcement about the Tour planned for today.

The tour typically begins in the Bay Area in February. Past prologue stages have included routes around San Francisco and through Sonoma County in the North Bay.

In the past, the riders have traveled to Southern California via scenic Highway 1. This year, they endured one of the most miserable stages in the race’s history while being pelted with rain and wind en route to San Luis Obispo, where they arrived more than two hours behind schedule.

It’s possible the Paso Robles stage of the race could involve the cyclists cutting over to the city from Highway 1 on Highway 46 West, a scenic route favored by local amateur riders. Those details were not discussed Tuesday.

Today’s 8 a. m. announcement will take place in Paso Robles’ City Park gazebo downtown. Mayor Frank Mecham and police Chief Lisa Solomon are expected to provide more information at that time.

The city’s Promotions Coordinating Committee is slated to discuss the race’s visit at its regular meeting Thursday.