2009 Tour of California Will Showcase Strongest Field Ever in US

by optic | February 3, 2009 at 09:21 pm

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Arguably the strongest group of professional cyclists ever assembled in the United States will take the start of the 2009 Tour of California. So if you're a cycling fan but lack the required romantic partner and only get a Valentine's Day card from your mom, you've still got something to look forward to on February 14th.

There are plenty of great story lines in this year's Tour. From Lance's comeback premier on home soil to a showdown of the sprinters Tom Boonen and Mark Cavendish. Floyd Landis also returns to racing after a 2-year ban for his positive drug test during the 2006 Tour de France, as does Ivan Basso after his ban related to operation Puerto. Add to that a host of new teams such as Test Team Cervelo and OUCH and a more difficult set of stages than ever before before and the Tour of California has definitely become one of the elite 1 week stage races in the world.

Lance Armstrong, Two-Time Defending Champion Levi Leipheimer and 2008 Olympic Champion Fabian Cancellara Lead Star-Studded Field of Cyclists in America’s Most Important Race

“It is clear that this year’s Amgen Tour of California has the greatest field ever assembled in our country. We have legendary champions like Lance Armstrong, an extraordinary array of the best professional cyclists riding today and many of the most talented young riders in the world,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports.

The 750-mile, nine-day stage race, modeled after the Tour de France and presented by AEG, will take 17 of the world’s top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County from February 14-22.