By BILLY WITZ
Published: February 23, 2009

ESCONDIDO, Calif. — The Tour of California is still a young race, having just completed its fourth year. But when an authority like Lance Armstrong spoke in wide-eyed wonder Sunday about the enthusiastic crowds that turned out last weekend at places like the Rose Bowl and Palomar Mountain, it was clear that the event was growing up quickly.

The question facing the event’s organizers is whether the Tour of California is ready to become a major player in cycling. To do so will probably require a move on the calendar.

“If you put this race in April or June, the sky’s the limit,” said Bob Stapleton, the owner of Columbia-Highroad, the team that fielded the tour’s third-place finisher, Michael Rogers, and its best sprinter, Mark Cavendish.

Read full article