Mayor Welcomes Amgen Tour of California to San Diego

Mayor Kevin Faulconer will kick off the weekend for the 2016 Amgen Tour of California on Friday afternoon.

The Executive Director of the Amgen Tour of California, the senior vice president of business operations with the Tour, the senior vice president of marketing for the San Diego Tourism Authority and several professional cyclists will also make welcoming remarks for the start of the race often thought of as the precursor to the Tour de France.

The Tour, America’s biggest and most prestigious cycling event, will start in San Diego on Sunday. The eight-day bike race will begin at Ski Beach in Mission Bay and finish in Sacramento.

It is expected to attract more than 170 riders (16 to 18 international teams) and two million spectators.

Amgen Tour of California 2013

Organizers estimate that the tour will generate a total of $100 million for the San Diego region. Direct and indirect revenue from the tour is estimated at $2 to $3 million.

Many Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympians often compete in the race.