Amgen Inc. and USA Cycling are rebutting critics who say the drug manufacturer’s three-year sponsorship of the Tour of California sends a mixed message to athletes.

Amgen pioneered the making of EPO, arguably cycling's most famously abused substance, to help cancer and kidney patients recover more quickly. Both the UCI and USA Cycling, which is sanctioning the California race, ban use of the synthetic hormone.

"Many people think the EPO drug was invented to be used in doping," Amgen spokeswoman Mary Klem said on Friday. "We are opposed to the inappropriate use of Amgen’s EPO products."

Nevetheless, Elizabeth Hunter of the World Anti-Doping Agency said Amgen’s involvement sends mixed signals to the athletes.

"We were pretty shocked when we heard about the title sponsor for the Tour of California," Hunter said. "Why does the largest manufacturer of EPO sponsor an event in a sport known for abuse of banned substances? That raises questions for us."

Not so at USA Cycling, where spokesman Andy Lee said the U.S. governing body welcomes Amgen’s involvement.

"Amgen is working with the International Olympic Committee against blood doping by helping develop tests against blood doping," Lee said. "It is unfortunate it is being used by athletes illegally." —Agence France Presse

NORBA announces shorter series, new venues for 2006
A shortened National Mountain Bike Series that includes two new venues will return to California for its kickoff in May 2006, according to USA Cycling.

Cut from eight races in 2005, the 2006 national series features six events. It kicks off May 5-7 at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park in San Dimas, 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

The season opener marks the national series’ return to California after the traditional stop at Big Bear Lake was canceled in 2004.

After a month-long break the series resumes with two consecutive weekends on the East Coast. Sugar Mountain Resort in Banner Elk, North Carolina, hosts its first-ever national series event June 10-11, followed by round three June 17-18 at Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, Vermont.

The series then returns to Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, for round four July 8-9.

After another hiatus, the series then heads to Brian Head Resort in southern Utah for round five August 4-6 before concluding August 12-13 at Snowmass Resort in Aspen, Colorado.

The series will again feature several disciplines and categories — cross country, short track, downhill, mountain cross, dual slalom, marathon and super D — as it enters its 18th year.

2006 National Mountain Bike Series Schedule
May 5-7 — Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas, California
June 10-11 — Sugar Mountain Resort, Banner Elk, North Carolina
June 17-18 — Mount Snow Resort, West Dover, Vermont
July 8-9 — Deer Valley Resort, Park City, Utah
August 5-6 — Brian Head Resort, Brian Head, Utah
August 12-13 — Snowmass Resort, Aspen, Colorado

Colavita-Sutter Home signs Wamsley
Kyle Wamsley, who finished third at the USPRO and USCF Criterium Championships and won the 2005 Tour of Somerville, has joined Colavita Olive Oil-Sutter Home Wine.

With the addition of Wamsley and Viktor Rapinski of Belarus, whose signing was announced earlier this fall, the roster for the 2006 season is complete, director sportif Frank McCormack. Said in Linden, New Jersey.

A native of Pennsylvania, the 25-year-old Wamsley made his debut on the U.S. pro racing circuit in 2005 with Team Snow Valley. McCormack called him a consistent rider, praising his ability to read the race and his finishing speed.

Returning for 2006 are team captain Mark McCormack, Sebastian Alexandre, Gustavo Artacho, Davide Frattini, Todd Herriott, Jonathan Page, Tyler Wren and Ian Ayers. Additional contracts have been awarded to Zak Grabowski, Billy Skinner, and Gabriel Brizuela.