(Lake Tahoe, Calif./Nev.) – As the 2011 Amgen Tour of California makes it way through the Lake Tahoe region, residents and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for rolling road closures – slight delays allowing the cyclists to pass – on Sunday, May 15 (Stage 1) and Monday, May 16 (Stage 2).

According to race officials, roads will close 20 to 30 minutes before the peloton passes and a few minutes after the cyclists go by. Tour course logs (with times and locations of rolling road closures) can be downloaded at www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com;click on the News tab. The public is encouraged to park in designated parking lots, also on the website, and bike to points of interest on the race routes.

The Stage 1  2011 Amgen Tour of California around Lake Tahoe, Sunday, May 15, will be assisted by the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and El Dorado County Sheriff’s office.

In support of this event, Highway 50, (Lake Tahoe Boulevard) and State Route 89 (Emerald Bay Road) north of the “Y” will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 10:10 a.m. to approximately 10:45 a.m. for lap one. It will again close at approximately 12:45 p.m. and re-open at approximately 1:15 p.m. for lap two. The timing for the second closure can vary greatly depending on the speed of the race and how spread apart the riders get for their second stint through the city.

For times when the tour will pass a street or road in South Shore click here.Officials suggest providing at least a 30-minute window on each side of the time listed. All times are approximate.

In North Lake Tahoe, the CHP is handling the rolling road closures on both the California and Nevada sides of the lake. Based on the Race Day Map, motorists can expect Highway 28 to be closed approximately 11:20 to 11:55 a.m. at the Tahoe City Y during lap one and between 2:20 to 2:55 p.m. during lap two. In Kings Beach, it’s 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for lap one and 2:45 to 3:20 p.m. for lap two, as well as noon to 12:35 p.m. in Incline Village.

On Monday, May 16^, the Amgen Tour of California will be coming from Squaw Valley USA  through Truckee. The Truckee Police Department, in conjunction with the CHP, will be providing traffic control for this event while it is in the Town of Truckee.

The event will enter Town limits on State Route 89 (SR-89) from Squaw Valley. It will continue northbound on SR-89 to Donner Pass Road, make a left turn onto westbound Donner Pass Road and continue on Donner Pass Road along Donner Lake, up to Old US-40 and the Donner Summit area.

Road closures will be of a short duration as the cyclists pass major intersections and should start about 9:50 a.m. on SR-89 and West River Street, and at about 10 a.m. at SR-89 and Donner Pass Road, progressing westbound on Donner Pass Road to the Donner Lake area and finally exiting Town limits by 10:30 a.m. Motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes at each of the major intersections. CHP officers will accompany the cyclists on motorcycles.

Motorists are urged to drive with caution and follow directions of the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff, Truckee Police Department and CHP officers, as well as race officials as the race passes by. Times for the Amgen Tour of California race are approximate, based on average speeds of the peloton and are subject to change.

For a complete calendar of Tahoe’s 10-Day Countown, events leading up to the race (May 5-14), as well as activities during Stage 1 (May 15) and Stage 2 (May 16), click tohttp://www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.

NOTE: For media driving to South Lake Tahoe from Northern California please be aware that construction will close U.S. Highway 50 over Echo Summit near South Shore beginning Wednesday, May 11 through Thursday, May 26. There are alternate routes, which add 30 -45 minutes to South Lake Tahoe. From Sacramento: Exit at Power Inn Road and take State Route 16 east to State Route 49 south, at State Route 88 in Jackson, turn left (east). Take that to State Route 89 and turn left again (north), and follow it back to U.S. Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe. Visit www.way2tahoe.com for maps, deals and other information. Download a free mobile app (Tahoe South) to obtain information about alternate routes, directions, updates, events, weather and more.

There are no construction projects or detours for North Lake Tahoe, and all major interstates and highways are open including Interstate 80 East, Highway 89, Highway 267, as well as Highway 431 from the Reno area and Highway 50 from Carson City.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover nearly 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. Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.comfollow us on Twitterand Facebook. For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. For daily audio and video reports, “Countdown to the Amgen Tour of California,” visit http://www.Tahoetopia.com/amgen-update. The report also airs on KTKE 101.5 FM every morning.