Palm Spring will help the 2013 edition of the Amgen Tour of California make history.
The city has been named one of 12 stops for the eighth annual tour, which for the first time will take riders on a south to north route from May 12-19.
The 750-mile race, which stretches from Escondido to Santa Rosa, will enter Palm Springs on May 13 as competitors cycle down Highway 74 through the cities of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Cathedral City before parking in Palm Springs.
Carrying an elite distinction, the Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar, awarding world-ranking points to the top finishers. Past race fields have included Olympic medalists, world champions and the top Tour de France competitors.
The race course is as follows:
Stage 1: May 12 – Escondido
Stage 2: May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs
Stage 3: May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita
Stage 4: May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara
Stage 5: May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach
Stage 6: May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial)
Stage 7: May 18 – Livermore to Mt. Diablo
Stage 8: May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa