Stage 6 of the 2010 ToC will no longer start in Pasadena or use the Angeles Crest Highway to get to the "mountain top finish" in Big Bear. They are actively looking for some other place to start the stage, but have not announced one as of yet. The reason, big surprise, is "storm damage", which is shorthand for massive mudslides, road erasures and other act-of-God type nastiness. In the famous words of Smokey the Bear "only you can prevent forest fires, you little pyro". Official-like statement on the flip ...

Statement from Andrew Messick regarding a change to the 2010 Amgen Tour of California Stage 6 Start and Host City.

Due to severe road damage on the Angeles Crest Highway (Route 2) above La Cañada Flintridge caused by the recent winter storms, we have been forced to change the route for Stage 6 of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California.  This change is being made at the direct request of Caltrans, which has notified us that due to the potential safety hazards, the road will be unable to accommodate our race.  Stage 6, scheduled for May 21, 2010, will no longer start in Pasadena and we are working to secure a new stage start, which we are hopeful of announcing in the coming days.

Stage 6 will still finish in Big Bear Lake as planned and we look forward to a challenging stage in the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains.

As long-term partners with Pasadena, we appreciate how graciously they have handled this difficult situation.  We look forward to returning to Pasadena soon.”

Andrew Messick,  President, AEG Sports

Update from Gav: Here's a press release from CalTrans, dated February 2010. With pictures! A bit of a mess, really.