America's most successful cycling race, the recently expanded Amgen Tour of California, is a nine-day "rolling festival" through California that is one of the nation's largest and most recognized annual sports events. This international "Tour de France-style" cycling road race, presented by AEG Sports, features elite professional teams and athletes from around the world competing for the highest prize purse of any cycling race in North America.

Lance Armstrong's highly anticipated return to competitive professional cycling for the 2009 season, after a three-year hiatus, will begin in January and the Amgen Tour of California will be his first U.S. race of the season. Other teams and riders participating in the fourth annual race will include Tour de France top competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists.

Recently expanded to nine consecutive days, from February 14-22, 2009, the Amgen Tour of California will include races in 16 host cities and showcase more than 800 miles of scenic California highways, roadways and coastline drives. For the first time ever in 2009, the tour will travel to San Diego county, and the last stage will be a thrilling race from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido (via Palomar Mountain) on Sunday, February 22.

With San Diego hosting the finish stage, as well as being part of the race for the first time, visitors can expect February 22 to be an unforgettable day. Come watch Lance Armstrong sprint to the finish, see the awards ceremony and jersey presentation, and enjoy all the race day festivities, family-friendly activities, demonstrations, cycling displays and more. The host cities of Rancho Bernardo and Escondido provide the perfect base for visitors, with a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hotels to 4 star luxury resorts, and plenty of activities to keep spectators entertained before and after the race.

Visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com for more information.