The Stanford community knows a thing or two about reckless bikers, but this Sunday daring feats of cycling speed will be on display en masse.

The Amgen Tour of California, one of the most prestigious cycling events in America, will kick off Feb. 17 in Palo Alto. During the local race, which is the tour’s “prologue,” cyclists will compete in a 2.1 mile time-trial course before racing in the tour’s main seven stages. Teams of cyclists from around the world will be participating, including many who have raced or will race in the Tour de France.

Participants will race from Bryant Street in Palo Alto down University Avenue, continue onto Palm Drive and circle the Oval near the quad before stopping at the intersection of Palm Drive and Museum Way. A new rider will set out from the starting point every minute, and organizers estimate that it will take around five minutes for each rider to complete the course.

The section of Palm Drive from the intersection with Campus Drive to the circle around the Oval will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday. The section of Palm Drive from Campus Drive to El Camino will be closed only on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“For all intents and purposes, this is the Tour d’America,” said Frank Scioscia, a development officer who helped organize Palo Alto’s participation. “We’ll have all those incredible athletes on our campus, and the only fee is standing on the side of the road. It’s really exciting.”

“It’s a chance to see the top athletes in the world, in our sport, compete on the campus where we ride every day,” added Evan Pickett, a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. “In cycling, American pro teams are essentially the minor leagues. Normally, the only chance you’d get to see competition like this is at a huge European event, like the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia or a spring classics race like Paris-Roubaix.”

The event will bring competitors from across the world, along with top American cyclists.

“When you go, you might be hearing all sorts of languages — Dutch, Italian, French, English — all spoken within earshot,” Scioscia said. “It will really be an international event.” Event organizers also hope the cycling will raise awareness about green living.

“After the Tour de France Prologue in London last summer, bike commuting jumped 11 percent,” Pickett said. “And that’s in rainy England. A tiny push can make a big difference in the minds of a lot of people, if it’s applied in the right way.”

Student cyclists are already geared up for the event.

“It’s not every day that you get to see world class cyclist racing on campus,” said Stanford Cycling Club Race Director Todd Norwood ‘08. “Being able to walk down to the Oval and watch them race is a really amazing opportunity.”

“I’m definitely going to watch the opening stage,” added Jake Allen ‘11. “Who would pass up such an amazing opportunity? It’s like hosting the Final Four NCAA basketball game in your home court.”