Lance Armstrong and defending champion Levi Leipheimer are joining forces to lead Astana at the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, race organizers announced on Thursday.
The 750-mile, nine-day cycling race begins in Sacramento on Feb. 14 and ends on Feb. 22 in San Diego.
The race – in its fourth year – has done away with the stage that began along Cabrillo Blvd. in Santa Barbara but will still feature a time-trial stage that loops the Santa Ynez Valley starting and ending in Solvang. That stage will take place on Feb. 20th.
While Leipheimer is the defending two-time champion, Armstrong is clearly the biggest draw as the seven-time Tour de France winner is making a return to competitive cycling after three years spent in retirement.
The field includes eight of the top ProTour teams from around the globe. Garmin-Slipstream and Team Columbia are the top American-based teams, while Team Saxo Bank (BEL) and Quick Step (BEL) were the most successful teams overall during the 2008 season.
Astana (LUX), Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA), Liquigas (ITA) and Rabobank (NETH) fill out the competitive field.
“The success of the Amgen Tour of California has created a very positive reputation among the professional cycling community, which has helped to ensure the high level of competition that people have come to expect from our race,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “We have invited the best teams that the world has to offer to compete on an outstanding course. The success of the race, combined with an updated, world-class route will ensure a level of competition that is unprecedented in the United States.”
For more information about the teams competing in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
