News - Local

Thursday, Jul. 24, 2008

Bicyclists in 2009 Tour of California to bypass SLO in newer and longer route

Paso Robles unveils its hosting plans for the 2009 Amgen Tour; SLO chamber says it’s glad the Tour is still in county

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Paso Robles will be one of eight new host cities on a dramatically altered route for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California cycling stage race, which is longer and will cover more of the state next year.

The city unveiled its first-ever sponsorship of the event Wednesday morning. It will be the fourth riding of the race and the first time the international field of riders doesn’t travel down Highway 1 into San Luis Obispo County.

Riders will also bypass San Luis Obispo, which has served as a finish line for one stage of the event in each of the past three races. After finishing in Paso Robles, they will race in a time trial in Solvang the next day.

Next year, Paso Robles will be a finish city for stage 6, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19. That day, racers will come from Visalia and finish here, likely at a finish line on the city’s downtown square.

City officials revealed Wednesday that they submitted a bid to host the teams, race officials, fans and vendors after being asked twice by AEG, the company that owns the race.

“We passed on it the first time,” Mayor Frank Mecham said. “But they were changing the course, and that was the big criteria.”

When race organizers came back to the city again, the city contacted local hoteliers, who expressed their support, and lined up initial sponsorships.

Paso Robles must provide 145 hotel rooms for crew and race officials the night before the riders come to town, and over 400 rooms at a set price point for teams, riders, officials, sponsors and other personnel the night of Feb. 19.

“A few years ago, we didn’t have enough rooms,” said Cathy David of the city manager’s office. But with the opening of several new hotels in the last year, the city is now qualified to host the event.

San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce officials are saying that they are glad that the tour will still come to the county, even it it’s not to their city.

President Dave Garth said that the tour may not provide that much direct financial benefit, but it does give a community exposure.

Marketing director Lindsey Miller said even the inclement weather for riders when they rolled into San Luis Obispo in February, many racing fans went into businesses. “They went in to get out of the rain,” she said.

Sponsors already lined up for the local stage are Hearst Ranch Beef, the Wellness Community cancer support center, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance and the Paso Robles Event Center.

More sponsors are still being sought. The highest level of sponsorship is $20,000, David said.

The city won’t know how much cash it might have to spend hosting the race until sponsorship arrangements are finalized, Mecham said.

News that the race is coming to town traveled quickly. The mayor said he has received calls from people offering to volunteer. Between 200 and 300 helping hands will be needed, David said.

Speculation about the exact route was a hot topic of conversation at Wednesday’s announcement conference. Because tour organizers like the race to be scenic, but also challenging for the riders, speculation about what east-west side roads could bring the race into town was rampant.

Police Chief Lisa Solomon said that it is likely the finish will be on the downtown square.

“This is the crown jewel for the city, and Amgen and AEG have recognized that,” she said.

Paso Robles expects to benefit from the publicity that the internationally televised race will bring to the area. More than a million fans have come out in person during the past three the week-long tours, making the event one of California’s largest professional sports contests.

Among the teams expected to participate in next year’s race is San Luis Obispo-based Team Columbia, formerly known as Team High Road.

Tribune staff writer Sally Connell contributed to this story.