Amgen Tour of California 2019 Official Program

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA | OFFICIAL 2019 PROGRAM | 59 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA | MEN’S STAGE 6 STAGE 6 MEN FRIDAY, MAY 17 | ONTARIO TO MT. BALDY - QUEEN STAGE DISTANCE 79.2 Miles | TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN 14,040’ TERRAIN Mountain T his stage has seen legends made and winners decided. After four consecutive stages averaging 130 miles, the riders would normally look for- ward to a 79-mile course with only three climbs…but not with Mt. Baldy looming! This “Queen Stage” is compared to the epic stages of the European Grand Tours. It is very possible the overall winner will be decided on the final 15 switchbacks to the Mt. Baldy finish. A return to the moun- taintop that thrilled so many fans in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017, this is the top train- ing ground for many Southern California racers. Only a handful have done the en- tire route, but after the 2017 race, this is now one of hottest Strava segments in the U.S. This marks the fourth time the City of Ontario has hosted the Mt. Baldy stage. The race begins at Citizens Bank Arena and heads north into the cities of Rancho Cucamonga and Upland. The route then becomes a trek through the San Gabriel Mountains just north of the Los Angeles Basin. Mt. Baldy is the showstopper for the day, but it certainly is not the only obstacle. Through the village of Mt. Baldy itself, through Icehouse Canyon, and up the switchbacks, the ascent is brutal, av- eraging 9.4% with a max incline of almost 16%. The last half mile alone averages 12.8% and is where many of the riders are forced to zig-zag across the road before the throng of fans there to cheer them to the finish. In total, the stage features sev- eral KOMs for 14,000 feet of climbing. Presented by: PHOTO: BRYN LENNON