“It’s a zoom,” he added. “Actually a sprint coming down Highway 150 to gain points so they’re actually coming really fast at this time.”Last year “people were lined up from Stonegate to Main Street and this year” the race will go as far south as East Harvard Boulevard where racers will hang a left turn, noted Yanez. “...then they’ll turn left onto 12th Street and go on to Balcom Canyon Road.”This year bleachers will be set up at on both sides of Main and 10th streets and the “Downtown merchants are trying to do something to capture some of the visitors...we’re trying to do more with a very small budget this year.”Yanez said he believes that the Amgen Tour will come back through the city for the 2008 race: “They really like Santa Paula. Their representative said that Santa Paula was one of the ‘no problem’ cities” along the route of the 2006 race, a feat accomplished by plenty of cooperation among city departments and volunteers.Yanez urged that everyone attend the sprint through Santa Paula as “it’s going to be one of the best seats in the county!”Bands and other entertainers interested in participating in the event can call Yanez at 933-4226.
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2nd Annual Amgen California Bicycle Tour in Santa Paula Saturday
February 21, 2007
Santa Paula News
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula is planning a big celebration to welcome the 2nd Annual Amgen Tour of California, which will shoot through the city on Saturday, Feb. 24 at approximately noon.Brian Yanez, community services director, said those who want to be ahead of the pack and have a talent to share - whether it be a band or other entertainment - to help celebrate the highly anticipated bike race will be a perfect fit for the community celebration.Entertainers will be on the Main Stage at Veterans Park as part of the city’s welcome to community members and visitors who want to catch some bicycle fever as the tour passes by on its way to Santa Clarita.Veterans Park will also offer plenty of always-popular Police and Fire personnel and equipment, Bike Rodeo, skateboard competition and food vendors as well as a display by Bicycle World, the area store that has a wide following among bicycling enthusiasts. Park events are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Yanez said that the race is expected to bicycle through the city at “about 11:53 a.m., that’s what they’re saying and they’re pretty accurate,” based on last year’s projection and actual race time.
