The City of Santa Clarita will be at the center of the cycling world on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, when the 2014 Amgen Tour of California returns to Santa Clarita for the sixth time in race history for the Stage 6 and Stage 7 Starts, presented by Crunchies Natural Snacks. Santa Clarita will be the only city in race history to host two consecutive Stage Starts. Each electrifying event will provide an exciting fan experience as many of the top cyclists in the world converge on the City.

Scheduled over eight consecutive days from May 11-18, 2014, the Amgen Tour of California will visit 12 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see the cyclists firsthand as they race and climb toward the finish. Santa Clarita joins a prestigious list of cities selected to host the race’s eight stages, including: Sacramento, Folsom, San Jose, Mt. Diablo, Monterey, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Mt. High, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks.

On Friday, May 16, 2014, Santa Clarita will host the Start of Stage 6 in Old Town Newhall, between Lyons Avenue and Sixth Street.  The world’s top cyclists will leave at the crack of the starter’s pistol at 11:35 a.m., racing 94 miles toward Mountain High North for the race’s second mountaintop finish of 2014. Festivities kick off at 10:00 a.m. and spectators are encouraged to arrive early for autographs and to watch rider interviews live on stage prior to the race’s departure.

The following morning, cycling fans can gather once again to watch as the Amgen Tour of California returns to Santa Clarita for the Stage 7 Start on Saturday, May 17 at the Westfield Valencia Town Center. Riders will depart Town Center Drive at 11:40 a.m., sprinting onward through the high desert before racing 90 miles toward Pasadena. Spectators are encouraged to arrive at 10:00 a.m. for the race’s Start ceremonies, including interviews with riders and autograph opportunities.

Adults 18 and over can also volunteer to serve as Course Marshalls for the Stage 7 Start of the race. Course Marshalls are one of the most important parts of the Amgen Tour of California. They are stationed at designated areas along the race route to help coordinate safety, keep the course clear for the professional cyclists, and keep spectators informed.  All volunteers receive a t-shirt and hat, and a front-row seat to America’s greatest cycling race. Those interested in volunteering as Course Marshalls for Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California in Santa Clarita can sign up by contacting Susana Coronel, Human Services Supervisor for the City, at scoronel@santa-clarita.com.

 “The Amgen Tour of California is particularly special for our community this year, because we are the only city in race history to host two stage starts in a single year,” said Mayor Laurene Weste.  “We are pleased to partner with Westfield Valencia Town Center for the sixth consecutive year for this event, and are also excited to showcase our newly revitalized Old Town Newhall area to visitors from around the world.”

As the Amgen Tour of California makes its way to Santa Clarita, residents can join fellow cycling enthusiasts for the Amgen Tour of California Viewing Party on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 p.m. at Salt Creek Grille, located at 24415 Town Center Drive, Suite 115. The FREE event will feature a live recap of Stage 4 of the race, plus giveaways and items to be raffled off, including official signed riders’ jerseys. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The arrival of the Amgen Tour of California will mean changing traffic patterns and temporary closures for affected streets throughout the Santa Clarita Valley.  Residents and businesses are strongly urged to utilize the City’s website, SantaClaritaTourOfCA.com, to plan ahead and minimize any commuting inconvenience.

Santa Clarita Transit local service will be affected as cyclists race out of City limits.  For updated bus route information on Santa Clarita Transit, visit SantaClaritaTransit.com or check @SCTBus on Twitter for rider alerts.

The City will also deliver up-to-the-minute details on Facebook and Twitter as roads are closed and reopened.  For more information on the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, visit SantaClaritaTourOfCA.com/Race-Info.