Stage 3 - Palmdale to Santa Clarita, May 14

While these two cities are familiar hosts of the race, the route is completely new on roads that the race has never travelled. The route will feature racing through the hills north of Santa Clarita along San Francisquito Canyon and the 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Rd. Much of this course will trace the route used by the famous Furnace Creek 508 mile race that is run each summer. The race may break apart on the rolling course but a gradual 18-mile descent down Spunky Canyon and Bouquet Road to the finish will give the peloton a chance to regroup. Don’t be surprised to see a large field sprint for this stage.