The 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in North America, recently announced that volunteer opportunities have been posted on their official website, www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com, for the race, including opportunities for Stage 1 and 2 at Lake Tahoe.

Approximately 500 volunteers are needed for the Overall Start, Sunday, May 15 in South Lake Tahoe and the Stage 1 Finish in North Lake Tahoe at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, as well as the Stage 2 Start taking place nearby at Squaw Valley USA on Monday, May 16. Click here for the course announcement made earlier this month.

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Several assistants are needed to provide support for the 75 professional course marshals who travel with the tour and help the local law enforcement agencies. They’ll have an opportunity to be on the race routes, close to the cyclists, with responsibility for monitoring pedestrian traffic, barricades and road closures.

According to the race officials, more than 4,500 volunteers in communities throughout the state participated in last year’s race, making it seamless and successful from start to finish and solidifying it as the largest sporting event in the state of California.

Positions include:

— Course Marshals will be assigned a designated area along the racecourse to assist with the coordination and safety of the field of play for all race venues. They’ll aid in keeping the course clear of pedestrians, spectators, cars, etc., and will keep spectators informed as the race in is progress. These positions are for local stages only; traveling Course Marshals are not being recruited at this time.

— Media in Start Cities will help with the distribution of media credentials at check-in. Volunteers in Finish cities will support tour media operations staff in the media office, including credential distribution, serving as “runners,” and assisting with general Q&A and office set-up.

— Security will work with Tour Security Staff regarding access-control, including on-course, hospitality, awards, green room and press conferences (special Security t-shirt will be provided).

— Volunteer Check-in will assist LOC Volunteer Coordinator with set-up, check-in/registration.

Volunteers must be 18 or older or accompanied by an adult. The online sign-up form allows individuals to rank their top-three job preferences with every attempt made to match their area of interest. Respondents will be notified soon thereafter by the local organizing committee.

“Volunteering for the Amgen Tour of California is an opportunity to help us showcase all that Lake Tahoe has to offer,” said Director of Tourism Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “You’re not just a volunteer; you’re an ambassador for the entire Lake Tahoe region.”

“Sign me up, or better yet I’ll sign my kids up,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. “Having volunteers fired up about the race starting in South Lake Tahoe is what we need to have a successful event.”

Beginning with the inaugural race in 2006, the Amgen Tour of Californiaquickly became the most successful race in the United States with economic benefits to the state, global recognition and a high level of competition. The race also set records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil, with more than 2 million spectators in previous years.

The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority are spearheading promotional and sponsorship efforts for the Lake Tahoe Stage 1 Start, Stage 1 Finish and Stage 2 Start, and serve on the Amgen Tour of California Lake Tahoe Local Organizing Committee. Stage 1 of the race is presented by Michelob Ultra, and Stage 2 is presented by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).

In previous years, the race has drawn some of the world's most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 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:

— Stage 1, Presented by Michelob Ultra: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort

— Stage 2, Presented by the California Travel and Tourism Commission: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento

— Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto

— Stage 4, Presented by UnitedHealthcare: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose

— Stage 5, Presented by Rabobank: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside to Paso Robles

— Stage 6, Presented by Herbalife: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial

— Stage 7, Presented by Nissan: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
— Stage 8, Presented by Amgen: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks

For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events (including the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown leading up to the race) and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.