SOLVANG- Joining the previously announced eight ProTour teams, nine additional Pro Continental and Continental teams have been confirmed for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California by AEG, presenter of the professional cycling race.
The nine-day stage race from February 14-22, 2009 will feature 17 of the world’s top professional teams, including world-renowned riders Lance Armstrong, two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer, three-time World Champion Oscar Freire and 2008 Olympic gold medal winner and world champion Fabian Cancellara, racing more than 750-miles from the state’s capitol, Sacramento, to San Diego County.
The complete 2009 Amgen Tour of California roster will feature the following 17 professional cycling teams (* = Newly announced): Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA); Astana (KAZ); Bissell Pro Cycling Team (USA)*; BMC Racing Team (USA)*; Cervelo Test Team (SUI)*; Colavita/Sutter Home Presented by Cooking Light (USA)*; Fly V Australia presented by Successful Living Foundation Team (AUS)*; Garmin-Chipotle (USA); Jelly Belly Cycling Team (USA)*; Liquigas (ITA); Ouch Presented by Maxxis (USA)*; Quick Step (BEL); Rabobank (Netherlands); Rock Racing (USA)*; Saxo Bank (DEN); Team Columbia (USA); and Team Type 1 (USA)*.
“These 17 teams represent the strongest field we have had at the Amgen Tour of California. We are delighted to have some of the world’s best and most established teams and we welcome the new teams who will be racing with us for the first time,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “The level of competition and talent for the fourth-annual Amgen Tour of California rivals the top races in the world and demonstrates the importance of the United States to professional cycling.”
Team Type 1 is holding their pre-season training camp in Santa Barbara, Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley area from January 23 to February 2, 2009. Solvang is host city for the Stage 6 Individual Time Trial on Friday, February 20, 2009.
According to Tracy Farhad, Executive Director of the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau, “We are thrilled to have Team Type 1 training in this area again this season. Team Type 1 members are doing outreach to our youth at Solvang Elementary School next week as well as hosting a private training session for Solvang’s Race of Truth amateur cyclists during their stay.” She added, “We are proud that 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong who has trained here for many years has said this is an ideal cycling area. From rolling country lanes through vineyards to strenuous mountain climbs, there is something for every level of cycling ability. Velkommen to Solvang and Santa Barbara County, cyclists!”
For complete details of all Amgen Tour of California race-related activities, Race of Truth, Gala, sponsorship and viewing packages in Solvang, visit www.tourofcalifornia-solvang.com or www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
