Going back to Cali’ with the Tour de Nez
June 2nd, 2010 by Ron Callahan View Comments
The Amgen Tour of California is done for another year, but many of the same competitors from the increasingly popular Pro Tour event are also looking forward to racing in Reno-Tahoe’s Tour de Nez, a three-day cycling race with events in Sparks, Reno and Tahoe from June 17 to 19.
As in years past, some of the heavyweights of pro cycling — teams like Kelly Benefit Strategies, Bissell, Jelly Belly and Fly V Australia — will send cyclists to the 18th annual Tour de Nez. Unlike previous years, however, a change in the race schedule that moved the Tour of California from February to May gives Northern California back-to-back, prestigious pro cycling races — the Tour of California in May and the Tour de Nez in June.
Cyclists and spectators who attend each event will be treated to the two sides of professional cycling. The Tour of California’s grueling stages feature team tactics and cover large distances. The Tour de Nez’s short, fast, circuit courses — kicking off with a 1.5-mile time trail in Sparks, Nev. and continuing with two circuit races in downtown Reno and at Northstar-at-Tahoe’s village — immerse spectators in non-stop cycling action. Tour de Nez spectators can view races from start to finish, as cyclists compete against the clock or fight to the finish in multi-lap races.
“You can watch the race develop in person,” said Tim Healion, founder and race director for the Tour de Nez. “It’s the Nascar phenomenon — people in the U.S. are used to continuous stimulation entertainment.”
What the Tour of California’s record crowds have shown, as the race has grown into the country’s top cycling event and one of the top races on the international calendar, is that the Western U.S. has a dedicated and fast-growing cycling fan base.
The Tour de Nez will give cycling fans another chance to view some of the top teams in the country compete in short, fast races in an intimate setting. And the Tour de Nez is not only a cycling race; live music, parties, an expo, and events like the bike messenger-inspired Tour de N’Alley Cat and the Clunker Classic will keep attendees entertained throughout the weekend.
For more information on the Tour de Nez visit www.tourdenez.org.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday, June 17 – Sparks, Nev.
• Sparks Nugget Prologue Time Trial starting and finishing right in the middle of the craziest farmers market you’ll ever go to. Pro men/elite women/handcycles
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• Music and feast after races at the Sparks Farmers Market.
Friday, June 18 – Reno, Nev.
• Group ride with athletes in the morning with coffee stop
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• Downtown Reno Circuit Race. Starts and finishes on 1st St. at West St. Pro men/elite women/masters.
• National championship handcycle race
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• Tour de N-Alleycat and kids at West Street Plaza on the Truckee River in Reno
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• Party afterwards at West Street Plaza.
Saturday, June 19 – Northstar-at-Tahoe, Calif.
• Village circuit race at the Village at Northstar at Tahoe for Pro men/women/handcycles/masters, and Lance Armstrong Junior Road race Series.
• Village races for clunkers and kids.
• Expo, music, demos, food, festival, and party, all in the Village at Northstar
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• Ride with the Pros