Tour of California officials expected to reveal 2013 route Tuesday

All signs indicate the Amgen Tour of California is headed in a new direction.

Host cities are expected to be announced Tuesday afternoon in a joint announcement out of Southern California, and the location for this news could spell a change in course for the May 12-19 racing spectacle.

Tour organizers will convene with officials from Escondido and Murrieta for "an exciting announcement regarding the 2013 Amgen Tour of California," according to velonews.com and cyclingnews.com.

The press conference has been scheduled for 1 p.m.

Modesto, Turlock and Sonora are among those hoping to hear their name called today.

Escondido is located in San Diego County and served as the overall finish to the 2009 race. Because of its involvement with Tuesday's announcement, Escondido figures to play a prominent role in next year's race.

If Escondido is selected to host the start it will mark the first time in the tour's eight-year history the race has traveled south to north.