Darrell Slocum is one of many volunteers working for the Amgen Sonora welcoming committee.  He says local businesses have heard about the economic benefits of the race from Auburn and Nevada City.

SLOCUM:  "Unanimously they have indicated that there was a significant boost of  revenue in conjunction with hosting the tour itself, but even more so that there was a subsequent increase in tourism afterward from people learning of the area and making plans to come back again and again."

Besides sprucing up signs and store fronts, Sonora paid to create a 30-second television commercial that will run during coverage of the race on the NBC Sports Network.

Stage Four will start in Sonora, go through Mariposa, and end in Clovis.  At 133 miles, it's the longest stage of the race.