This is the first time the race will be ending it’s fifth stage in Paso Robles. For as long as I’ve been at The Tribune the race has finished in downtown SLO. Not sure what prompted the change, but I’m guessing it had a lot to do with $$$ and sponsorship deals.

This year should be the most exciting because it’s the first time Lance Armstrong is competing in the race. Armstrong fans are probably pretty pumped about that. Too bad his time trial bike got stolen after the prologue in Sacramento on Saturday. It’s apparently worth $20,000. Hope he gets it back! BTW — a cash reward is being offered. Armstrong Tweeted about the burglary on his Twitter page. Hopefully the rest of the race goes well for him and the other riders, including Floyd Landis, who is also part of the race this year.

Stay tuned for updates from the TOC, including photos and maybe a video clip or two from the event. For complete coverage of the race visit our special section at www.SanLuisObispo.com/TOC. We’ll have video and stories of the race in Friday’s print edition and online.