Politics & Government

Mayor Says Amgen 'Put Livermore on the World Stage'

John Marchand explains why city officials will not be hosting the Amgen Tour of California in 2014

The Amgen Tour of California will not be rolling through the Livermore Valley for a fourth year in 2014, according to Mayor John Marchand. Marchand discusses the reasons behind the decision not to host the event that put Livermore on the map including concerns from business owners, "volunteer fatigue" and costs associated with being a host city.

Marchand wrote, via email:

Livermore is proud of the partnership that the City has developed with AEG. Livermore has been part of the Amgen Tour of California (AToC) bike race for six years.  As a past-through the first few years, most people were unaware of its occurrence.  For the last three years Livermore hosted the AToC as start and finish stages; these events were incredible successes. Livermore saw tens of thousands of cycling fans, local residents, and people from around the world embrace America’s premier cycling race in our downtown and along our vineyard-lined roads.  AToC put Livermore on the world stage.

As much as I love the AToC, hosting this event is both time and resource intensive.  It required significant sponsorship from the business community.  Recognizing the importance of bringing a world-class event again to Livermore, this year Shea Homes, Chevron Energy Solutions, the Tri-Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Walgreen’s stepped up to sponsor the hard costs of the event.  On race day itself, hosting also required over one-hundred-fifty community volunteers as well as many City staff hours.  This effort occurred immediately after our two-day downtown wine festival and shortly before our July 4th celebration.

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After the AToC this year, I heard concerns from our downtown businesses about the impacts of the street closures on a Saturday.  I also heard concerns over “volunteer fatigue” since the number and size of City special events has risen significantly.  So the City Council decided that this was the time to step back and take a year off from the AToC.  A new City Cycling Committee is presently under discussion; the members of this committee could well explore and review options for cycling events, their sites, and future bike paths.  People who wish to sponsor or volunteer for future events or  to apply for City committees,  can find additional information on the City’s website,  www.cityoflivermore.net. For local bike enthusiasts who miss the thrill of a race, Red Kite, a local cycling team, hosts a monthly series of Criterium races in Livermore. 

There will be no shortage of wonderful special events in Livermore for the community.  For example,  Livermore is hosting the Intermediate Little League World Series this week.  I am convinced that Livermore’s success with the AToC demonstrated to the Little League World Series staff that the City could, once again, successfully host a world class event.  And the World Series staff was not alone.  When Livermore first hosted the Amgen Tour of California, the City only held fifteen special events per year.  This year, the number is over sixty.  Like cycling fans, World Series families and players from across the country and around the world are impressed with Livermore.  I particularly enjoyed one quote from a family about our downtown – “It was like Disney World.”  Again, Livermore is proud of our connection with the Amgen Tour of California and our relationship with AEG– it’s been a great win-win for both organizations.

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[Related article: Livermore Leg of Amgen Tour of California on YouTube]

Will you miss the Amgen Tour of California in Livermore? Would you like to see it return to Livermore in 2015? Tell us in the comments section below.


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