Here's Where You Can Watch Those Amgen Tour Bikers Whiz Through Town

Stage 4 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California will zip through downtown and around Lawrence Livermore Laboratories before sending the professional cyclists on hilly and winding Mines Road, officials announced Wednesday.

The tour is considered the most important and successful road race in the United States. Livermore is no stranger to the tour, having hosted previous Amgen races.

But this year marks the city's first time hosting a stage start in the tour. The Livermore-to-San Jose Stage 4 route of the race is scheduled for May 18.

"This is very exciting. Livermore is already the home of world-class technology, world-class wineries and now we're bringing a world-class cycling event into Livermore," Vice Mayor John Marchand said. "It's a chance to show the world what Livermore has to offer."

Stage 4 stretches 81 miles and is considered a difficult route because of challenging climbs that include Mount Hamilton, officials said.

The tour is expected to provide an economic boost to Livermore.

On the eve of the event, downtown businesses will sponsor Bike Night, with cycling-related activities.

In addition, school officials are planning to incorporate the tour into lesson plans by highlighting the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, click here.

For more information on Livermore downtown activities during the tour, click here.