Tour of Cali to Feature Strongest Field Ever Assembled in the US

The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will assemble the best-ever collection of the world’s top cyclists when America’s most important road race begins February 14, in Sacramento. Featuring a field that includes seven-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong and two-time defending Amgen Tour of California Champion Levi Leipheimer (both racing for Astana), the 136 rider peloton also is expected to include 2006 Giro d’Italia Champion Ivan Basso (leader of team Liquigas); 2008 Olympic Champion in the time trial Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank); 2006 Amgen Tour of California Champion Floyd Landis (Ouch presented by Maxxis); 2005 World Champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step); three-time World Champion Oscar Freire (Rabobank); two-time United States National Champion George Hincapie (Team Columbia); and the top American performer in the 2008 Tour de France Christian Vande Velde (Garmin-Slipstream). Other anticipated participants include, 2008 Tour de France Champion Carlos Sastre (Cervélo TestTeam); four-time Norwegian National Champion Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam); 2008 U.S. Professional Champion and Olympic Gold Medal Winner Tyler Hamilton (Rock Racing); Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia), widely considered to be the world’s best sprinter; 2008 Best Young Rider in the Amgen Tour of California Robert Gesink (Rabobank); and 2008 Tour de France Best Young Rider Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank).

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Fantastic!!


Norwegain National Champion, Tour de France Stage Winner and wearer of the Maillot Jaune - Thor Hushovd. And my favorite rider.


US National Road Race Champion, Tour de France Stage Winner, Tour de France podium finisher, Giro d'Italia podium finisher - Levi Leipheimer; US Time Trial Champion, Stage Winner of Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana, Maillout Jaune wearer - Dave "DZ" Zabriskie. Funniest man on the planet.


World Time-Trial Champion, Olympic Time-Trial Champion, Swiss Time-Trial Champion, Tour de France Stage Winner, Maillout Jaune wearer, Maillot Vert wearer - Fabian "Spartacus" Cancellara; World Cycling Champion, 2X Paris-Roubaix Winner, 2X Tour of Flanders Winner, Gent-Wevelgem Winner, Tour de France Stage Winner, Maillot Jaune wearer, Maillot Vert Winner - Tom Boonen. Nicest butt in the peloton.