Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

No Amgen Tour Of California Race In 2020

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Thursday, October 31, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

Peter Sagan, of the Bora-hansgrohe team, second from left, crosses the finish line ahead Travis McCabe, of the USA Cycling team right, to win the first stage of the Amgen Tour of California cycling race Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Sacramento.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

The Amgen Tour of California bicycle race has drawn hundreds of thousands of spectators to different cities in the state over its 14-year history and has generated $3.5 billion in economic activity, according to race organizers. But the race will not take place next year. 

Several California cities had expected to host the event this coming May. But there will be no colorful racing uniforms, announcers, music or impassioned crowds because race organizer AEG Worldwide has pulled the plug, citing financial pressures.

“The business fundamentals of the Amgen Tour of California have changed,” said event president Kristin Klein. “It has become more challenging each year to mount the race.”

The announcement caught the expected host cities off guard, including Nevada City and Sacramento. Nevada City Councilman Duane Strawser said his city was on track as of Monday to host the next to last stage of the men's and women's races and had hosted a film crew this past weekend to shoot promotional videos for NBC.  

"Sponsorship dollars are fickle from year to year and sometimes from month to month,” said Strawser, who is also the promoter for the Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race. “You may have a secure contract in hand but if a company that is one of your sponsors either takes a big hit to their stocks or files bankruptcy, that rug can be pulled out from under your feet instantly with no recourse."

The race cancellation could deal a second blow to Nevada County businesses that have been struggling because of the power shutoffs.

"We were really thrilled knowing that some of the contracts that I would hand out for catering, for porta potties, for marketing, you name it would have made up maybe 10, 15, 20 percent of what they've lost the last three weeks in these outages," Strawser said.

Strawser has raced all over the world and attended the major cycling events, like the Tour de France. He said putting on such a race is a “massive moving beast.”

Michael Threadgall works at College Cyclery in Sacramento and is also an avid racegoer. He says he’s seen fewer people at the races in California. He wonders if more people might be drawn to the sport if they knew more about its technical aspects.

“America's different, you know. We're addicted to our cars. Bicycles are children's toys,” Threadgall said. “I live on a bike. I love bikes. I follow cycling everywhere. I guess I'm one of the small minorities."

Threadgall says races like the Amgen Tour of California used to be as big here in the states as overseas. 

"There's no entrance fees and you show up and watch them go by,” he said. “It's not like your other sports. You know, the turn of the century, cycling in America was second only to baseball and every major city had an indoor velodrome cycling track."

AEG says it will study the race's business model to see if it might relaunch in 2021.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Toby Talbot/AP

FDA moves to ease restrictions on blood donations for men who have sex with men

January 28, 2023

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

California allocates $20M toward abortion clinics’ physical, digital security

January 25, 2023

Aaron Kehoe/AP

At least 18 dead in 3 days after mass shootings in California devastate 2 communities

January 24, 2023

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

4 storylines to watch in this weekend's NFL conference championship games

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California coronavirus updates: Judge blocks California law preventing doctors from spreading COVID-19 misinformation

4 storylines to watch in this weekend's NFL conference championship games

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.