The Amgen Tour of California announced their route for the 2015 edition of this professional road cycling race. A three day professional women’s stage race will take place in addition to the eight day men’s race.

Women’s Race Empowered by SRAM

The Amgen Tour of California kicks off Friday, May 8, 2015 with a women’s 74 mile road race around scenic Lake Tahoe, beginning and ending on the slopes above South Lake Tahoe at Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Heavenly hosts Saturday’s Stage 2 as well, with two circuits on a 25 mile course through forests and local switchbacks.

Stage 3 on Sunday, May 10 takes place as a fast two mile circuit around downtown Sacramento. The winner of the women’s race receives the same two year lease on a new Lexus NX “compact crossover” that the overall winner of the men’s race will get.

Finally, on Friday, May 15, a select few participated in the Women’s Invitational Time Trial at Big Bear Lake.

This route video shows the women’s race locations for 2015.

Men’s Race

The Men’s race begins the same day the women’s stage race ends on Sunday, May 10, with the start and finish in Sacramento and 127 miles of riding through Solano and Yolo Counties in between.

Stage 2 runs from Nevada City to Lodi, then Stage 3 in San Jose for the tenth year running and once again including a ride over Hamilton.

For Stage 4, the race moves way down the Central Coast for a race from Pismo Beach to Avila Beach. Stage 5 races from Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita.

The Men’s Individual Time Trial for Stage 6 begins at 1 PM, after the women have completed their racing at Big Bear Lake.

The racers then ride from Ontario to Mount Baldy on Saturday, May 16, before the race finishes on Sunday, May 17 in Pasadena, CA.

This video highlights the Amgen Tour of California men’s route.

I’ll have spectator tips for some of the northern California routes later. If you plan to visit Tahoe to watch the women’s race book your rooms now.