The 2010 Amgen Tour of California on Sunday will begin with the first-ever visit to the picturesque town of Nevada City, Calif., which will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nevada City Classic, in which many notable riders got their start.

Here's a bird's eye preview of the first part of stage one:

UPHILL is how the race starts on Broad St. (above and below)

The racers skirt across the northern edge of Grass Valley and then south to Old Town in Auburn.

Heading out of Auburn, the cyclists will cross over the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge – the tallest bridge in California and the third highest in the U.S.

A mostly downhill stage, which will certainly favor the sprinters, will be abruptly interrupted by a grueling climb from the American River to the town of Cool. Sacramento streets will once again see the teams finish with three blistering fast circuits around the State's Capitol building.

The Amgen Tour of California will once again feature a free Lifestyle Festival in each finish city with family friendly activities, demonstrations and cycling displays.

Returning this year as the title sponsor of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, Amgen will continue to leverage its race sponsorship to raise awareness of its mission to serve patients battling serious illness. In line with this mission, Amgen strives to empower patients and their caregivers by connecting them to free education, resources and hope through the Breakaway from Cancer® initiative. Founded in 2005, Breakaway from Cancer is a national initiative to increase awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer ranging from prevention to diagnosis to education and support into survivorship.

Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners – Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship – play leading roles in every aspect of cancer care, complementing the services provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. Visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com to learn more.

Based in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (a 2010 host city), Amgen's invaluable support of the Amgen Tour of California helps ensure its success and impact beyond the sporting arena.

"Thank you for the flyover" of the first part of Stage One goes to pilot Don Campbell, Sierra Vista Aviation in Auburn.

For more details, please see:

www.sacramentopress.com/headline/26484/Amgen_Tour_of_California_teams_announced

and for parking and traffic information:

www.sacramentopress.com/headline/26944/City_readies_for_rolling_street_closures_and_thousands_of_spectators_this_weekend

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner