Amgen Tour of California Races Attract Thousands Near and Far

Stage 1 of the Amgen Tour of California attracted thousands from near and far to Sacramento.

Most people, like Yuko Gee, were from the Sacramento region. But unlike everyone else in attendance, Gee's Metromint amateur racing team was entered in the women's competition.

"We're here to support women's cycling and the fact that they have two races this year at the Amgen Tour of California is significant and so we hope to go out and represent the women in cycling," says Gee.

Yuko Gee came out to support her amateur team, Metromint. Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

The men's and women's races were broadcast to 80 countries including Belgium which is nearly 6,000 miles away.

Belgian journalist Walter Wauters writes for the Belgian paper Nieuwsblad.

"Well, I did the Tour of Dubai and now we are here and I think the follow mission will be the Tour de France." says Wauters. "And in the winter, I cover cycle cross which is very big in Beligium.

Wauters says he travels 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) a year covering racing, not including air travel.

His next trip is just up the road to Folsom for Monday second stage.

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish won the first stage, the fourth Amgen stage win of his career.

Walter Wauters writes for the Belgian paper Nieuwsblad and Kurt Boes fromHet Latste Neuws cover Amgent Tour of California. Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio