Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California released details of the 2008 edition Tuesday, highlighting an eight-day, 650-mile race slated to start with a prologue at Stanford University, in Palo Alto, on February 17 and end a week later in Pasadena.

The 2008 edition of the Tour of California will visit 12 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, including Palo Alto-Stanford University (new in 2008), Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Modesto (new in 2008), San Jose, Seaside, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Pasadena (new in 2008).

"The challenging geographical features and picturesque landscape of California provide the perfect combination of elements for a world-class cycling event," said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, organizer of the race. "For the third year of the Amgen Tour of California, we remain committed to upgrading and enhancing every element of the race experience for the cyclists and spectators by creating an even more challenging and exciting race."

According to organizers, the 2007 Tour attracted more than 1.6 million spectators, surpassing the inaugural year’s turnout and setting records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as for any cycling event ever held in the United States.

2008 Amgen Tour of California - February 17-24
Route detailsPrologue: Palo Alto-Stanford University (Sunday, February17, 2008)
(Start time: 1 p.m.) Expected finish times for this flat 2.1-mileprologue are less than five minutes. While short, the route will offerample opportunity for spectators to watch their favorites power througha course centered on the Stanford University campus. The Stanford Ovalwill put riders into a full 360-degree loop before they head to the finishline at the intersection of University Avenue and Museum Way on campus.Stage 1: Sausalito to Santa Rosa (Monday, February 18,2008)
(Start time: 11 a.m.) This stage is identical to the first stageused in the earlier editions of the Tour of California and will cover nearly100 miles from Sausalito to Santa Rosa.  The stage, sponsored by Herbalife,begins with a climb from Mill Valley up to Mt. Tamalpais State Park beforeturning toward Muir Beach.  The relatively flat route will take theriders north toward Bodega Bay and Coleman Valley Road, a landmark climbin Northern California.  Spectators can watch the stage win unfoldas the field heads downhill from Occidental for three finishing circuitlaps in downtown Santa Rosa.  In previous years, the Santa Rosa fanshave set the mark for one of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds ofthe entire race.Stage 2: Santa Rosa to Sacramento (Tuesday, February 19,2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) Using another established Tourof California route, stage 2 begins with a scenic start through severalSonoma County wineries before reaching one of the most significant climbsof the race as the route heads east toward the the state's capital, Sacramento. Twelve miles from the start, Trinity Road's vertical climbs and treacherousdecent into the wineries of Napa Valley will make it one of the most difficultclimbs of the entire race, as proven during the 2007 Amgen Tour of California. Continuing east past Lake Berryessa, the peloton will head through thecities of Winters and Davis. With a quick turn to the north, the routewill follow the Sacramento River to the Tower Bridge and on to CapitolMall in Sacramento.  The stage concludes with three circuit laps throughdowntown, finishing on the front steps of California's Capitol building,a perfect viewing location for race spectators.Stage 3: Modesto to San Jose (Wednesday, February 20,2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) Stage 3 introduces a new course for theTour of California, beginning with a neutral start of parade laps throughModesto's revitalized downtown area before heading south through California'sscenic farmlands.  After passing through Patterson, the route takesthe peloton through what could be a defining portion of the 2008 edition, a 26-mile section full of twists and turns marked by a series of climbsnear Frank Raines Regional Park, leading to a relentless climb over thebackside of Mt. Hamilton.  With an elevation of 4,360 feet, Mt. Hamiltonwill be one of the highest elevations ever reached in the Amgen Tour ofCalifornia.  After the descent, the riders will head to Sierra Road,another epic climb. Once the riders crest Sierra Road, the peloton willcomplete the course with a quick 18-mile run to the finish line in SanJose.Stage 4: Seaside to San Luis Obispo (Thursday, February21, 2008)
(Start time: 10 a.m.) Stage 4 is another traditional route,used in both prior editions of the Tour of California. The remarkable viewsof Stage 4 have made it a race favorite for riders and spectators alike. Beginning in Seaside with a short neutral lap and traveling along a similarroute to previous years, the peloton will head south on scenic Highway1 where sweeping vistas of Big Sur and redwood forests flank the PacificOcean.  At more than  130 miles and with three KOM spots, thisis the longest stage of the race and has proven to be a test for the riderswith consistently hilly and technical terrain.  The long day willtake the riders down the California coastline by Hearst Castle before shiftinginland toward the finish line at the intersection of Osos St. and MontereySt. in San Luis Obispo.Stage 5: Solvang Individual Time Trial (Friday, February22, 2008)
(Start time: noon) The quaint Danish village of Solvang annuallyhosts ProTour teams for training camps as well as some of the largest cyclingevents in the United States.  At only 15 miles, slightly longer thanthe 2007 individual time trial and with the start and finish lines locatedonly one block apart, Stage 5 is an ideal location for spectators to viewthe race.  The route will highlight some of the most beautiful areasof Central California, winding through quaint towns, vineyards, farms,and one short, but steep, climb.Stage 6: Santa Barbara to Santa Clarita (Saturday, February23, 2008)
(Start time: 11 a.m.) Stage 6 could be the pivotal stage forthe 2008 Amgen Tour of California.  The stage is one of the longestat 105 miles, and it is heavy on climbs with four KOMs, three sprints anda demanding finishing circuit in Santa Clarita.  With the individualtime trial late in the race again this year, there is the potential forseveral riders to be separated by just a few seconds as they begin thestage.  After a start in view of the Santa Barbara shoreline, thisstage, sponsored by Health Net, will take the peloton to Highway 192 andthrough the town of Carpinteria.  The route will then take the riderson Highway 150 where they will face two KOMs before passing Lake Casitasand riding into the scenic town of Ojai.  The third KOM will be justa few miles outside Ojai, and then the course will head downhill into SantaPaula.  The ominous Balcom Canyon will be the final climb of the day,where in 2007 nearly 25,000 fans formed a narrow corridor for the riders. The race ends with three circuit laps in Santa Clarita that finish at McBeanParkway at the Valencia Town Center.Stage 7: Santa Clarita to Pasadena (Sunday, February 24,2008)
(Start time: TBD) The final stage of the 2008 Amgen Tour ofCalifornia represents a change from last year's event, which ended witha circuit race at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Adding a relatively difficultpoint-to-point race at the end may put the overall race leader and histeam under pressure to protect the jersey.  The first 25 miles ofStage 7 include a gradual climb from Santa Clarita to the intersectionof Angeles Forest Road.  The route continues uphill to the highestelevation ever reached by the Amgen Tour of California on the toweringMillcreek Summit (4906 feet).  Descending with an eight-mile run toAngeles Crest Highway, the route begins a fast plunge to the Rose Bowlin Pasadena.  After more than 60 miles from Santa Clarita to Pasadena,with the mountains and the Rose Bowl serving as the backdrop, the pelotonwill complete the stage and the race, with six five-mile laps on a toughcircuit around the Rose Bowl.