“It continues to build...one hour before they’re supposed to come through and we probably have more people than last year,” eager to watch the bicyclists race, noted City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz. “It’s something simple to do and there’s a great turnout from all over the county. It’ll be even bigger next year.”Inside City Hall an oversized screen displayed internet coverage of the race while outside in the park people were dancing, kids were enthusiastically using a high inflatable double-slide and a skateboard competition was the focus of much attention.That is at least until the convoy of Amgen race staff vehicles, CHP patrol units and motorcycle officers from various law enforcement agencies came blaring down Highway 150/10th Street, some honking their horns and others with sirens blaring.The first pack of riders hit the Sprint mark at about 12:55 p.m.They were followed within minutes by the second, much larger group of bicyclists that almost stretched curb to curb as they raced under the Santa Paula and Fillmore Fire departments ladder arch holding an American flag and the crowd of spectators applauded and shouted out encouragement.Their timing couldn’t have better: within just a few minutes the railroad arms crossing 10th Street at Santa Barbara Street went down to allow the Fillmore & Western Railway tourist train to pull in at the Depot.The 2007 tour - which in its inaugural year drew the largest spectator crowd in the state - covered 650 miles over eight days and drew more than 140 world famous bicyclists as participants.The inaugural 2006 Amgen Tour of California was an unqualified success, both for attendance - 1.3 million spectators, a record for a single sporting event in the state as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil - and in generating $100 million in economic growth along its route.
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Levi Leipheimer (center with yellow jersey) and his Discovery Channel teammates along with the rest of the bike riders speed through Santa Paula during Stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California. Leipheimer held onto the yellow jersey at the end of Stage 6. Juan Jose Haedo from Argentina won the stage at 3 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds. Stage 6 began in Santa Barbara and ran through Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore and ended in Santa Clarita. Leipheimer won Stage 7 in Long Beach Sunday and took home the win in the Amgen Tour. PHoto by Don Johnson |
Amgen Tour of California
February 28, 2007
Thousands cheer as 2nd Annual Amgen Tour whizzes through Santa Paula
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThe 2nd Annual Amgen Tour of California came whizzing through Santa Paula on Saturday to the cheers of thousands of local residents and visitors with bicycle race fever.Santa Paula, again a pass through for the international slate of championship bicyclists riding from San Francisco to Long Beach, this year staged a celebration at Veterans Memorial Park to greet the racers.“I’m really excited,” said Mayor Ray Luna who was enjoying the cover tunes by E-Ticket Ride at the park as those visiting the nearby gourmet coffee and hot dog stands stood in line. “Aside from the race it’s good to see Santa Paulans and those from out of town,” who were lining up on Highway 150/10th Street and East Harvard Boulevard to cheer on the racers.“I hope everyone enjoys what we have in Santa Paula, the beautiful people, our wonderful mountains and great downtown,” noted Luna.“We have plenty of volunteers,” ranging from SPPD Reserve Officers to Citizens Patrol to the city’s CERT Team, helping with the event noted SPPD Sgt. Ismael Cordero. “The Rotary Club, Cub Scouts and Scouts, officers from Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme,” also were on hand he noted. “We’ve got a pretty big contingency of law enforcement officers.”Chamber of Commerce Manager Ken Brookes had crafted a sign to hold up as racers passed the Chamber office at the historic Depot.“Santa Paula: Special Place, Special People” read the sign, a quote from Vice Mayor John Procter’s recent State of the City Address.“Last year I had a ‘Vinick for President’ sign,” publicizing the city’s favorite son, a presidential candidate on “The West Wing” noted Brookes.“This is the big race,” said Bob Hargarten as he and his wife Shirley arrived early to secure a perfect viewing spot along 10th Street.At Veterans Park Community Services Director Brian Yanez said that the purpose of the Amgen Tour celebration was to “gather a group in the park, and we’ve done it...”
