Modesto will host a stage of 2017 Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is back in town.

Modesto officials announced Wednesday the city will host the start of Stage 2 of the 2017 tour, which features some of the world’s top bicyclists pedaling 600 miles over seven days.

The city’s stage is scheduled for May 15. The cyclists are expected to start in the morning in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts and make two roughly 1-mile laps through downtown before heading out for the end of Stage 2 in San Jose. Stage 1 starts and finishes May 14 in Sacramento, and the cyclists will be driven to Modesto for Stage 2.

Modesto was a stage city from 2008 to 2011.

“We are hoping for record attendance for our fifth hosting of the Amgen Tour, and we know that the great community of Modesto will meet the challenge,” Mayor Ted Brandvold said at a news conference Wednesday at the Gallo Center.

The mayor and others spoke about the economic benefits of having thousands of people downtown and how being part of the tour portrays Modesto in a positive light. The tour is broadcast on television and is followed on social media.

Race organizers will hold a festival downtown in conjunction with the Stage 2 start.

Modesto has set aside $125,000 to cover the costs of hosting its stage, but the city expects to raise money through sponsorships and donations to cover all of its costs. City officials have said that was the case when the tour was here in 2008-11.

Those interested in being sponsors, making a donation or volunteering can contact Laurie Smith, the city’s business manager, at lsmith@modestogov.com.

This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 8:10 AM with the headline "Modesto will host a stage of 2017 Amgen Tour of California."