Amgen’s Tour of California is coming back to Bakersfield. This is one of the most recognized cycling events and one of the nation’s most popular sporting events and occurs on an annual basis. This year it will be held May 13-20.

The race is comprised of hill and valley routes that wind through our country and include a stop in Bakersfield.

In this scenic race of California put on by AEG Sports, there are eight stages that the athletes will have to overcome in order to reach the finish line.

Stage one will start in Santa Rosa on May 13. Stage two will be taking off in San Francisco starting at Marina Boulevard. This will take the cyclists to stage three, taking place in San Jose, starting at Berryessa Community Center and ending at Livermore.

Stage four is the longest stage with 130 miles of ground to cover. With its starting point in Sonora and ending in Clovis, it is also quite possibly the hardest stage in the Tour of California.

To many, stage five is perhaps the most interesting, as it will be starting and finishing at Bakersfield College on May 17.

Stage five is an individual time trial that in past years has been a favorite on the tour. In Bakersfield, it will be an 18.4-mile trial course.

The cyclists will be going down Alfred Harrell Highway to a turnaround point at Lake Ming on the China grade and then the finish. It is a fast and high-graded road for the cyclists and, as it is occurring in May, it may also be hot from the Bakersfield heat.

Palmdale is the starting point for stage six and it ends at Big Bear Lake May 18. The seventh stage takes the riders to mount Baldy on May 19. On May 20, stage eight takes off in Beverley Hills.

The winner will be crowned in Los Angeles on a special stage at L.A. LIVE along with the team the rider rode with.