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Help wanted for Tahoe legs of Amgen Tour of California

Sun staff report
File PhotoAmgen Tour of California riders turn onto South Pine Street from Broad Street in Nevada City at the start of the 2010 race. The 2011 race begins in Lake Tahoe and is expected to attract as many as 30,000 to 50,000 tourists to the region.
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TRUCKEE/TAHOE andamp;#8212; Volunteers are needed for the Lake Tahoe stages of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California.The largest cycling event in North America has volunteer information on the website http://www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com.According to a press release, approximately 500 volunteers are needed for the May 15 overall start at South Lake Tahoe and Stateline, where cyclists begin their ride around the lake one and a half times before finishing at Northstar-at-Tahoe, as well as the May 16 Stage 2 start at Squaw Valley.Several assistants are needed to provide support for the 75 professional course marshals who travel with the tour and help local law enforcement agencies. They’ll have an opportunity to be on the race routes, close to the cyclists, with responsibility for monitoring pedestrian traffic, barricades and road closures.More than 4,500 volunteers in communities throughout the state participated in last year’s race.Positions include:andamp;#8226; Course marshals will be assigned a designated area along the race course to assist with the coordination and safety of the field of play for all race venues. They will keep the course clear of pedestrians, spectators and cars, etc., and will keep spectators informed as the race in is progress. Traveling course marshals are not being recruited.andamp;#8226; Help with the distribution of media credentials at check-in. Volunteers in finish cities will support tour media operations staff in the media office, including credential distribution, serving as runners, and assisting with general information and office set-up.andamp;#8226; Security will work with tour security staff regarding access control, including on-course, hospitality, awards, green room and press conferences.andamp;#8226; Volunteer check-in will assist with set-up, check-in and registration.Volunteers must be 18 or older or accompanied by an adult. The online sign-up form allows individuals to rank their top-three job preferences with every attempt made to match their area of interest. Respondents will be notified soon thereafter by the local organizing committee.andamp;#8220;Volunteering for the Amgen Tour of California is an opportunity to help us showcase all that Lake Tahoe has to offer,andamp;#8221; said Andy Chapman, tourism director for the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. andamp;#8220;You’re not just a volunteer. You’re an ambassador for the entire Lake Tahoe region.andamp;#8221;andamp;#8220;Having volunteers fired up about the race starting in South Lake Tahoe is what we need to have a successful event,andamp;#8221; said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.According to an Amgen press release, beginning with the first race in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California became the most successful race in the United States with economic benefits to the state, global recognition and a high level of competition. The race also set records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil, with more than 2 million spectators in previous years.The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority are spearheading promotional and sponsorship efforts for the Lake Tahoe Stage 1 start, Stage 1 finish and Stage 2 start, and serve on the Amgen Tour of California Lake Tahoe Local Organizing Committee.In previous years, the race has drawn some of the world’s most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 800 miles and visit 15 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling.


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