Tour of California Moves South After Sonoma County Debut

Cyclist Peter Sagan is in the lead as the Amgen Tour of California
moves to San Francisco today for its second stage.

The Slovakian-born Sagan, riding for the team Liquigas-Cannondale, finished first in the annual race's first stage in Sonoma County on Sunday with a time of 4 hours, 42 minutes and 25 seconds.

The 119.6-mile stage began and ended in Santa Rosa and traveled through the hills of western Sonoma County.

The 117.1-mile second stage will begin at San Francisco's Marina
Green at 11 a.m. and travel south on state Highway 1 through San Mateo County and ending in Aptos in Santa Cruz County, according to race organizers.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said the race would serve as a showcase for the city's hills and waterfront.

"San Francisco has invested in its bicycling infrastructure,
leading to historic increases in bicyclists around our city and we are eager to share this with those who will be visiting our city for this world class cycling event," Lee said.

The third stage, on Tuesday, will travel from San Jose to
Livermore. The race will then continue through Southern California during five more stages, ending May 20 in Los Angeles.

The 2012 Amgen Tour of California is the largest cycling event in
the U.S., according to race organizers.

By Bay City News Service.