Elite cyclists ready to tame Tahoe’s roads

This is the second year South Lake Tahoe is a host city for the women's Amgen Tour of California. Photo Copyright 2016 Carolyn E. Wright

This is the second year South Lake Tahoe is hosting the women’s Tour of California. Photo Copyright 2016 Carolyn E. Wright

By Kathryn Reed

STATELINE – The National Weather Service in Reno has issued an advisory today for boats on Lake Tahoe. However, meteorologists aren’t warning cyclists about the gusts that may reach 50 mph.

Tahoe continues to present the Amgen Tour of California bike race officials and riders a challenge when it comes to weather. In 2011, the men’s race was snowed out; last year it was touch and go for the women. The good thing for today – no precipitation is in the forecast.

This is the first U.S. event on the inaugural UCI world tour for the women. Eighteen teams with 108 riders will start and end at Heavenly’s California Lodge today – with a ride around the lake in between.

The men finish their fifth stage this afternoon at the Cal Lodge.

Women’s Stage 1 Heavenly California Lodge, South Lake Tahoe Start: 10:50am Estimated finish: 2pm Men’s Stage 5 Lodi to South Lake Tahoe (Cal Lodge) Start: 9:45am Estimated finish: 3:46pm Lifestyle Festival Cal Lodge 10am-4:30pm Television coverage Amgen Tour of California is live on NBC Sports Network. Photo Copyright 2016 Carolyn E. Wright

Women’s Stage 1
Heavenly California Lodge, South Lake Tahoe
Start: 10:50am
Estimated finish: 2pm
Men’s Stage 5
Lodi to South Lake Tahoe (Cal Lodge)
Start: 9:45am
Estimated finish: 3:46pm
Lifestyle Festival
Cal Lodge
10am-4:30pm
Television coverage
Amgen Tour of California is live on NBC Sports Network.
Photo Copyright 2016 Carolyn E. Wright

The women cyclists were introduced Wednesday night at a special reception at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. Many expressed an appreciation for what Amgen has done to bring the women’s sport more prominence. Even in Europe, where road bike riding is much more of a spectator sport than in the United States, this particular race has been generating a buzz.

World, national and Amgen champs, along with Olympians will be racing. Kristin Armstrong, who won Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012 for the United States, is racing for Rally Cycling. Eight of the 10 Olympic hopefuls for the U.S. are here.

Evelyn Stevens with Roels Dolan’s Cycling Team said she expects an all-round cyclist to win the women’s four-stage race. Stevens earlier this year set the hour record, going 47.98 kilometers.

Canyon Sram Racing is hoping to defend its title.

Mara Abbott with the Wiggle High5 team has a reputation as a climber. She said, “There are medium sized climbs here.” The hometown, obviously biased crowd seemed to disagree with her description.