Squaw Valley USA Hosts the Start of Stage 2 of the Amgen
Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America comes to Squaw Valley USA on May 16, 2011

[Squaw Valley USA] April 20, 2011 – Squaw Valley USA is honored to host Stage 2 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in America. For the first time, the race will start in Lake Tahoe, one of the country’s most spectacular destinations and nationally renowned cycling meccas. As host to the second leg of the tour, Squaw Valley USA will come alive with live music, parties and events to accompany the prestigious race.

Lake Tahoe’s first-ever involvement in the race as the official Overall Start is Sunday, May 15 and begins at South Lake Tahoe at 6,300 feet, the highest start elevation in the six-year history of the competition. Stage 1 wraps up in North Lake Tahoe at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, with the Stage 2 Start taking place at Squaw Valley USA on Monday, May 16.

Upon completing Stage 1, competitors will have ridden a lap-and-a-half around Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, conquering 119 miles and three mountains passes in approximately five hours and a total elevation gain of 5,500 feet.

Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games, is hosting the Stage 2 Start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California on the morning of Monday, May 16. The action starts directly under the historic Olympic rings at the center of the Village at Squaw Valley with riders peddling the cobbled corridors before turning onto Squaw Valley Road and then descending to the Olympic Flame entrance and a left-hand turn onto Highway 89 towards Truckee and on to the Stage 2 finish in Sacramento.

Sunday, May 15, spectators can watch the Stage 1 finish in the Village at Squaw Valley on a jumbotron screen in the Village followed by a lively village-wide happy hour from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. With Squaw Valley’s extended ski season through May 30, spectators can spend a day on the slopes before joining in the après scene in the Village. In honor of the Amgen Tour of California, Squaw Valley is selling deeply discounted lift tickets for just $39 with a portion of the proceeds going to Biking for a Better World and the local organizing committee.

Monday, May 16, cycling enthusiasts can start the morning with a breakfast buffet at PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. As the festivities begin, spectators can watch riders sign in under the Olympic Rings at 9:15 a.m., followed by the 10:15 a.m. start of Stage 2. The Village will continue the celebration with live music starting at 10:30 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon with a jumbotron screen airing the Stage 2 finish in Sacramento.

“We are thrilled to welcome the start of the Stage 2 to Squaw Valley USA,” said Andy Wirth, Squaw Valley’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The world first turned its eyes on Squaw Valley in 1960 during the Olympic Winter Games. Now, 50 years later, we are again honored to host some of the best athletes in the world.”

In previous years, the Amgen Tour of California has drawn some of the world's most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover nearly 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling. Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

• Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
• Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
• Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
• Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
• Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside to Paso Robles
• Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
• Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
• Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks

For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events (including the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown leading up to the race) and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com. For details about the Tour, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.