Cycling crazies in Marin get their annual chance to see the best in the business up close and person Sunday, as the Tour of California blasts through the North Bay.
While Marin has been home to race's first stage in years past, it hosts the 8th and final stage this year, with riders starting in San Francisco's Marina district, heading over the Golden Gate Bridge and onto Highway 101 in the northbound lanes before getting off at the Tam Valley/Muir Woods exit and heading through Tam Junction and all the way up and over Hwy. 1, through western Sonoma County before hitting the finish line in Santa Rosa.
Emerging American superstar Tejay Van Garderen holds the overall lead entering the weekend and is looking to win his first major stage race as a pro.
The biggest American cycling race began last Sunday in Escondido featuring 128 riders on 16 teams, including U.S.-based powerhouse teams like Van Garderen's BMC Racing, as well as Garmin Sharp and RadioShack-Leopard-Trek.
Sunday's race is projected to send the riders through the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza at around 8:20 a.m., before blasting through Tam Junction as early as 8:35 a.m. The riders are expected to arrive in Stinson Beach at around 9 a.m. and between 9:30 and 9:55 a.m. in Point Reyes Station
Race organizers have said that road closures occur on a rolling basis, closing as riders approach and opening as soon as the peloton is out of sight.
The 411: The Tour of California's 8th and final stage leaves Marina Green in San Francisco at 8:15 a.m., is expected in Tam Junction by 8:35 a.m. and in Point Reyes Station between 9:30 and 9:55 a.m. Click here for more info.
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