Top Sporting Events: February 21-24
Most anticipated events for local teams
Thursday, February 21
College women’s basketball Pacific at UCSB, 7 p.m.
Friday, February 22
Cycling Amgen Tour of California Stage 5: Solvang time trial, 12 p.m.
TOUR OF CALIFORNIA: Professional cycling is another sport that is trying to overcome a plague of doping scandals. This week’s third edition of the Amgen Tour of California has implemented strict drug testing protocols, and all 17 competing teams have consented to observe them.
Stage 5, the most spectator-friendly stage of the tour, will take place Friday, February 22, in Solvang. It is an individual time trial in which the riders will start at intervals and assail a 15-mile loop around Los Olivos and back to the finish line in Solvang. The first rider starts at noon.
After the time trial, the cycling hordes will come to Santa Barbara, where Stage 6, a 105-mile race to Santa Clarita, will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday on Cabrillo Boulevard.
Unlike the 2007 tour, which ended with a largely ceremonial circuit race, this year’s will conclude Sunday with a grueling 93-mile stage that will reach an elevation of 4,906 feet in the Angeles National Forest. The overall winner will not be known until the finish at the Rose Bowl.
College basketball UCSB men at Utah State, 6 p.m. (TV: ESPNU)
College baseball Marist at UCSB, 2 p.m.
College softball Softball by the Beach Tournament at UCSB: Portland State vs. UCSB, 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, February 23
Cycling Amgen Tour of California Stage 6: Santa Barbara waterfront to Santa Clarita, 11 a.m. start.
College women’s basketball UC Davis at UCSB, 2 p.m.
College baseball Marist at UCSB, 1 p.m.; Point Loma Nazarene at Westmont (2), 11 a.m.; Mt. San Jacinto at SBCC (2), 10 a.m.
College softball Softball by the Beach Tournament at UCSB: St. John’s vs. UCSB, 9 a.m.; Portland State vs. UCSB, 11:30 a.m.
High school girls water polo CIF Division 2 final: Dos Pueblos at Santa Barbara High, 11 a.m.
Sunday, February 24
Running Independent Roses to La Playa 5K, State and Pedregosa to Leadbetter Beach, 8 a.m.
College baseball Marist at UCSB, 1 p.m.
College softball Softball by the Beach Tournament at UCSB: St. John’s vs. UCSB, 11 a.m.
College men’s tennis Oregon at UCSB, 1 p.m.
Every Monday
Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Cafe, noon
