As the countdown to the fifth edition of the Tour de Georgia hit its final hours, riders in need of a one last spin had to endure a blustery, damp Sunday in Peachtree City. But Monday’s forecast calls for clearing skies and temperatures in mid 60s, good news considering that already the event’s team presentation had to be scrapped because of rain.

They did manage to hold a pre-race conference Saturday, where a mix of media, VIPs and team officials were treated to video presentation featuring marquee moments from the race’s first four years. Highlights included Mario Cipollini strutting his stuff on the podium, Saul Raisin back on his bike for a charity ride, singer James Brown firing the starter’s pistol, and last year’s epic Brasstown Bald battle between Floyd Landis and Tom Danielson. Landis got the better of that showdown, ceding the stage win to the Discovery Channel rider, but sewing up the overall crown for himself.

Of course there will be no re-match of that clash in 2007, but both riders will be in Georgia this week. Danielson is already here and will be at the start line Monday. Landis arrives in the Peach State Wednesday for another stop on the Floyd Fairness Fund Tour. He’ll be explaining his case and signing autographs at the Cox Enterprises headquarters in Atlanta. Admission is $50 and includes a hosted reception.

Landis’ ongoing battle to clear his name following a positive drug test at last year’s Tour de France did not come up at the Georgia tour’s kickoff press conference. Instead the attention fell to Danielson, the clear favorite at this year’s race.

The late King of Soul, James Brown, was there last year.

Photo: Casey B. Gibson

“In a way I started my ProTour career here,” said Danielson, reflecting back on his 2005 overall victory. “It was the first time I was really able to ride with the top riders. I’ll always remember that — and this race will always be a big target for me.”

Joining Danielson on the dais was teammate Levi Leipheimer who was second to Danielson at the 2005 Tour de Georgia, and won this year’s Tour of California in February.

“Every race I’ve done this year we’ve won,” said Leipheimer, referring to Discovery’s strong start to the season that includes Alberto Contador’s Paris-Nice win. “We’ve got a strong team here and we want to keep that streak going.”

Sitting next to the Discovery duo was another famous American cyclist, but one that hasn’t raced in the U.S. in a long time. Yes, Tyler Hamilton is back, and will be contesting his first UCI race on U.S. soil since 2001.

“We just flew in from Milan,” said Hamilton, who is riding for Italian based Tinkoff Credit Systems. “It’s good to be back.”

Hamilton added that he wasn’t expecting to do much in Georgia after battling illnesses in March. Instead his primary focus is May’s Giro d’Italia where he’s hoping to make the final podium.

On Monday, stage 1 features a mostly flat, 98.5-mile run from Peachtree City to Macon. Don’t be surprised if CSC speedster J.J. Haedo leads a mass gallop to the line.

NOTESUnhappy campers - One team that will be missing from the action in Georgia is Jelly Belly. The California-based domestic outfit missed the cut for this year’s tour despite Andrew Bajadali’s overall win at Redlands last month. In defense of the Tour de Georgia organizers, final team selection came before Bajadali’s win. But the snub is still a bitter pill to swallow.

“I am really disappointed,” admitted Bajadali, whose team will instead focus on next month’s Tour of the Gila in New Mexico. “Part of the selection was based on early season results and we were still trying to get our form and get ourselves together then. But it’s still kind of a slap after what we did in Redlands. We are definitely on the level to compete at a race like Georgia.”

Jelly Belly team director Danny Van Haute said the final selection of Georgia’s 15 teams was a case of three squads for the final two spots.

“We found out before Redlands,” explained Van Haute. “We got a call from [competition director] Kevin Livingston and [race director] Jim Birrell. They were very professional with us. There were two slots left and it was between Colavita, BMC and us. I fought as much as I could. We were on the phone for 45 minutes, but I couldn’t change their minds. I said our results at Tour of California were better than BMC. Plus we’ve had podium shots at past Tour de Georgia’s. It’s not like we were a joker team the last four years.”

Ironically, it was BMC’s Scott Moninger who lost the overall Redlands lead to Bajadali on the final day of that race. “Right after we found out, our guys went out and won Redlands,” added Van Haute. “They wanted to show [race organizer] Medalist [Sports] that they made a mistake. And I truly do think they did make a mistake, but that’s the way it goes. We were disappointed, but we have to be professional about it. We restructured and now we have to go get results at Gila.”

The lone saving grace for Jelly Belly was the inclusion of team rider Brian Dziewa, who was named to the roster of the USA Cycling development team that is competing in Georgia.

Spotted - Jittery Joe’s climbing ace Cesar Grajales was seen rolling through the host hotel lobby Sunday afternoon. The Colombian crashed and separated his shoulder at Redlands and is still wearing an arm sling. But the former Brasstown Bald stage winner said he would give it a go Monday in hopes he could ride through the pain.

“It may not work out,” Grajales said. “But I will give it a try.”

Tour de Georgia by the numbersTotal distance of seven stages: 658 milesLongest stage: 134.9 miles — stage 2: Thomaston to RomeShortest road stage: 66.8 miles — stage 7: Atlanta circuit raceTotal prize purse: $146,364.77Prize for winning overall GC: $15,000Prize for finishing 10th-20th on GC: $365.72 eachTotal taxes withheld from winnings: 37 percent (7 by the UCI, 30 by the IRS) Stages with time bonuses: 1, 2, 6 and 7Most Tour de Georgia stage wins: Gord Fraser and Fred Rodriguez (tied at 3) Number of non-ProTour riders to win a stage at 2006 race: one by then Toyota-Untied rider J.J. Haedo, who is now with CSCIronic jersey sponsor: ‘Dent Wizard’ Most Aggressive Rider