Central Valley snubbed by Tour of California organizers

MODESTO -- The Amgen Tour of California will be skipping Modesto for a second straight year in 2013, but Modestans shouldn’t feel as if they’re being picked on by being left out.

Next year’s race skips the entire Central Valley.

Tuesday’s announcement of host cities by tour owner AEG Sports revealed a route that will bypass the Valley for the first time since the inaugural race in 2006. It also will not visit the Tahoe region or the Mother Lode.

“I am a little discouraged,” said Julie Hannon, co-chair of Modesto’s TOC local organizing committee as well as the director of parks, recreation and neighborhoods. “I thought the information submitted with our bid was excellent. Any time you don’t get something you’ve put so much effort into, it is discouraging.”

There was a direct answer to that from Kristin Bachochin, the tour’s executive director and AEG’s senior vice president: If you’re feeling discouraged, don’t.

“None of our cites are viewed as short-term relationships,” Bachochin said. “We have a great long-term relationship with Modesto and they know we want to come back. We get tremendous support from Modesto and it’s always been a fantastic host.”

The May 12-19 race will move south-to-north for the first time, spending five days in Southern California and skipping most of the Central Coast before regathering in San Jose for three final days in the Bay Area. It ends with a run from San Francisco to Santa Rosa.

Gone from the route are most of the small towns and all of the Mother Lode that AEG has claimed for years adds a great deal of scenery and flavor to the event.

The 12 host city partners for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 12 – Escondido

Stage 2: Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs

Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita

Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara

Stage 5: Thursday, May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach

Stage 6: Friday, May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial)

Stage 7: Saturday, May 18 – Livermore to Mt. Diablo

Stage 8: Sunday, May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa