Organizers of the 2007 Amgen Tour of California on Wednesday released a list of riders* slated to compete in this year’s event, slated to begin in San Francisco.  North American riders in bold
*Team rosters are subject to changeProTour TeamsDiscovery Channel Pro Cycling Team [USA]
The Discovery Channel’s big off-season news was the controversial signing of Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso from CSC — controversial because, despite his being cleared to race by the Italian authorities, his status regarding the Spanish blood-doping scandal Operación Puerto could change through 2007. Basso won’t be racing to win the Tour of California; he’ll be helping the team’s other high-profile arrival, Levi Leipheimer, who won the San Francisco prologue last year when racing for Gerolsteiner. Besides Basso and Leipheimer, the team has three other strong time trialists: Tom Danielson, Brian Vandborg and George Hincapie. So if Leipheimer doesn’t get the job done on the hilly stages around the Bay Area, Discovery still has the ammunition to come out on top in the Solvang TT. Also look for Tony Cruz to have a strong stage in his hometown of Long Beach.2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Stages: Two stage wins (both Hincapie)
Individual GC: Hincapie, 4th overall;
Danielson, 8th overall; McCartney, 10th overall
Also, Leipheimer (riding for Gerolsteiner in 2006), 6th overall
Team championship: 2nd overall SPONSOR: Multi-channel cable TV network
MANAGER: Bill Stapleton
TEAM DIRECTOR: Johan Bruyneel
ASSISTANTS: Dirk Demol, Viatcheslav Ekimov, Lorenzo Lapage, Sean Yates
EQUIPMENT: Trek bikes, Shimano components WWW.THEPACELINE.COMDiscovery Channel Pro Cycling Team (USA)Ivan Basso (I)Antonio "Tony" Cruz (USA)Tom Danielson (USA)George Hincapie (USA)Levi Leipheimer (USA)Jason McCartney (USA)Tomas Vaitkus (Lit)Brian Vandborg (Dk)

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CSC [DENMARK]
CSC is the No. 1 team in the world after winning the team championship in the first two years of the UCI ProTour. Its three American riders Bobby Julich, Dave Zabriskie and Christian Vande Velde all placed top 10 in the inaugural Amgen Tour of California, helping CSC win the team prize. Time trial specialists Zabriskie and Julich are aiming at the overall title, having both finished on the podium last year. The squad’s new addition, Argentinean sprinter J.J. Haedo, who won two stages for Toyota-United in 2006, will be a threat in the fl atter stages. Other riders on the 27-strong CSC roster include world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, Tour de France stage winners Karsten Kroon of the Netherlands, Stuart O’Grady of Australia, Fränk Schleck of Luxembourg and Jens Voigt of Germany, and grand tour specialist Carlos Sastre of Spain. 2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Stages: No stage wins
Individual GC: Zabriskie, 2nd overall; Julich, 3rd overall; Vande Velde, 9th overall
Team championship: 1st overall
SPONSOR: Multinational information technology services company
MANAGER/DIRECTEUR SPORTIF: Bjarne Riis
ASSISTANTS: Kim Andersen, Dan Frost, Alain Gallopin, Jørgen Pedersen, Scott Sunderland
EQUIPMENT: Cervélo bikes, Shimano components WWW.TEAM-CSC.COMTeam CSC (Dk)Fabian Cancellara (Swi)Juan Jose Haedo (Arg)Bobby Julich (USA)Karsten Kroon (Nl)Stuart O'Grady (Aus)Christian Vande Velde (USA)Jens Voigt (G)David "Dave" Zabriskie (USA)

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QUICK STEP-INNERGETIC [BELGIUM]
Former world champion Tom Boonen is not coming but current champ Paolo Bettini is making his U.S. debut in the rainbow stripes. Expect the Grasshopper to be mixing it up with the sprinters in some of the mass finishes. But Quick Step also has a slew of potential stand-ins for stage wins, including fast finisher Matteo Tosatto of Italy. For GC in California, Belgian all-rounder Jurgen Van de Walle is ready to shine.2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Did not compete in 2006. SPONSOR: Laminated floor manufacturer and mattress brand
MANAGER: Patrick Lefévère
TEAM DIRECTOR: Alvaro Crespi
ASSISTANTS: Wilfried Peeters, Luca Guercilena, Davide Bramati, Serge Parsani, Rik Van Slycke
EQUIPMENT: Specialized bikes, Campagnolo components WWW.QUICKSTEPCYCLING.COMQuick Step-Innergetic (B)Paolo Bettini (I)Mauro Facci (I)Leonardo Scarselli (I)Bram Tankink (Nl)Matteo Tosatto (I)Jurgen Van De Walle (B)Geert Verheyen (B)Giovanni Visconti (I)

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PREDICTOR-LOTTO [BELGIUM]
Since last year, when Davitamon was the title sponsor, this Belgian-based team owned by Omega Pharma has switched to another of its company brands, the Predictor pregnancy test. With the change has come a new team uniform of pink and black. The team itself retains a nice blend of skilled veterans and great younger riders. For the Amgen Tour, Californians Chris Horner and Fred Rodriguez should both be hot — Horner for the GC and Rodriguez for stage wins.2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Stages: No stage wins
Individual GC: Evans, 7th overall; Horner,
13th overall; Jufre, 14th overall
Team championship: 3rd overall
SPONSOR: Pregnancy test brand, national lottery
MANAGER: Geert Coeman
TEAM DIRECTOR: Marc Sergeant
ASSISTANTS: Herman Frison, Hendrik Redant, Roberto Damiani, José De Cauwer
EQUIPMENT: Ridley bikes, Campagnolo components WWW.DAVITAMON-LOTTO.COM
Predictor-Lotto (B)Mario Aerts (B)Bart Dockx (B)Nick Gates (Aus)Chris Horner (USA)Nic Ingels (B)Josep Jufre Pou (Sp)Matthew Lloyd (Aus)Fred Rodriguez (USA)

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RABOBANK [THE NETHERLANDS]
This Dutch team is overflowing with riches, including Tour de France stars Denis Menchov of Russia, Michael Rasmussen of Denmark, Michael Boogerd of the Netherlands and Oscar Freire of Spain. For the shorter stage races, Rabobank has sprinting power in Australian Graeme Brown and Dutchman Max Van Heeswijk, while homegrown talent Thomas Dekker, Colombian climber Mauricio Ardila, and Dutch all-rounder Koos Moerenhout can all challenge for GC honors. 2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Did not compete in 2006 SPONSOR: Dutch banking corporation
MANAGER: Theo De Rooy
TEAM DIRECTOR: Erik Breukink
ASSISTANTS: Erik Dekker, Frans Maassen, Adri Van Houwelingen
EQUIPMENT: Colnago bikes, Shimano components WWW.RABOBANK.NLRabobank Cycling Team (Nl)Mauricio Albert Ardila Cano (Col)Graeme Brown (Aus)Bram De Groot (Nl)Theo Eltink (Nl)Robert Gesink (Nl)Mathew Hayman (Aus)Grischa Niermann (G)Michael Rasmussen (Dk)

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T-MOBILE [GERMANY]
T-Mobile has undergone massive changes in the off-season. Following the exit of stars Jan Ullrich and Oscar Sevilla for their implication in the Spanish blood-doping scandal Operación Puerto, the team owners decided to clean house. They appointed an American, Bob Stapleton, to manage the team, while recently retired German rider Rolf Aldag took over as head directeur sportif. Among the incoming riders are all-rounders Canadian Michael Barry (from Discovery) and American Aaron Olsen (from Saunier Duval), along with New Zealand sprinter Greg Henderson (from Health Net) and the exciting world under-23 road champ Gerald Ciolek of Germany. All of them are capable of taking a stage win in California.2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Stages: Two stage wins (both Olaf Pollack, who has left the team)
Individual GC: Bernhard Kohl (who has left team), 12th overall; Davis, 40th overall
Also: Barry (then with Discovery), 16th overall.
Team championship: 10th overall SPONSOR: Mobile phone division of telecommunications corporation
MANAGER: Bob Stapleton
TEAM DIRECTOR: Rolf Aldag
ASSISTANTS: Tristan Hoffman, Brian Holm, Allan Peiper, Valerio Piva, Jan Schaffrath
EQUIPMENT: Giant bikes, Shimano components WWW.T-MOBILE-TEAM.COMT-Mobile Team (G)Michael Barry (Can)Gerald Ciolek (G)Adam Hansen (Aus)Greg Henderson (NZ)Kim Kirchen (Lux)Aaron Olson (USA)Jakob Piil (Dk)Michael Rogers (Aus)

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LIQUIGAS [ITALY]2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Did not participate in 2006 SPONSOR: Natural gas distributor
MANAGER: Roberto Amadio
TEAM DIRECTORS: Mario Chiesa, Dario Mariuzzo, Mario Scirea, Stefano Zanatta
EQUIPMENT: Canondale bikes, Campagnolo components WWW.LIQUIGAS.ITLiquigas Pro Cycling Team (I)Kjell Carlstrom (Fin)Mauro Da Dalto (I)Enrico Gasparotto (I)Luca Paolini (I)Franco Pellizotti (I)Manuel Quinziato (I)Charles Wegelius (GBR)Frederik Willems (B)

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CRÉDIT AGRICOLE[FRANCE]
Crédit Agricole didn’t make much of an impression at the inaugural Amgen Tour of California but the French team comes this year with its world-class sprinter, Thor Hushovd, who won the points green jersey at the 2005 Tour de France. Expect the Norwegian to win at least one of the California stages. Hoping for a high GC position is Kazakh time-trial specialist Dmitriy Fofonov. The team’s American hope Saul Raisin is sitting out the 2007 season after recovering from a severe crash last April.Raisin won't be racing in California, but the Crédit Agricole man will be there, hosting rides, meeting fans and cheering for his teammates. 2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Stages: No stage wins.
Individual GC: Nicolas Vogondy (who has left team), 11th overall; Pauriol (who has left team), 18th overall; Raisin, 19th overall.
Team championship: 5th overall. SPONSOR: Banking corporation
MANAGER: Roger Legeay
TEAM DIRECTOR: Serge Beucherie
ASSISTANTS: Denis Roux, Jean-Baptiste Souquet, Jean-Jacques Henry
EQUIPMENT: Look bikes, Shimano components WWW.CREDIT-AGRICOLE.FRCrédit Agricole (F)Dimitri Fofonov (KAZ)Sebastien Hinault (F)Thor Hushovd (NOR)Mads Kaggestad (NOR)Christophe Kern (F)Christophe Laurent (F)Cyril Lemoine (F)Jean Marc Marino (F)

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GEROLSTEINER[GERMANY]
Even though this German team’s focus is usually locked on the major European events of the ProTour, it has already experienced its share of success in California. The team’s talented young all-rounder Fabian Wegmann won the 2005 San Francisco Gran Prix, the final edition of that popular one-day race, and last year Gerolsteiner kicked off the Amgen Tour of California in grand style when its team leader Levi Leipheimer won the prologue in San Francisco. Leipheimer went on to finish sixth overall in 2006. With Leipheimer now with Discovery Channel, Gerolsteiner will look to Wegmann and sprinter Robert Förster for stage wins, and to climber Bernhard Kohl (with T-Mobile last year) as its GC guy.2006 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA RESULTS
Individual GC: Leipheimer, 6th overall;
Hiekmann, 32nd overall; Krauss, 65th overall; Kopp, 73rd overall
Team championship: 9th overall SPONSOR: Mineral water
SPONSOR MANAGER: Renate Holczer
TEAM DIRECTOR: Hans Michael Holczer
ASSISTANTS: Udo Bölts, Christian Henn, Reimund Dietzen, Christian Wegmann
EQUIPMENT: Specialized bicycles, Shimano components WWW.GEROLSTEINER.COM/CYCLINGGerolsteiner (G)Robert Förster (G)Torsten Heikmann (G)Bernhard Kohl (A)Sven Krauss (G)Volker Ordowski (G)Fabian Wegmann (G)Peter Wrolich (A)Oliver Zaugg (Swi)

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Pro Continental TeamsHEALTH NET-MAXXIS [USA]
The top team in the U.S. for three years running, Health Net found itself in an unusual situation at last year’s Amgen Tour of California — shut out from podium appearances. Australian rider Nathan O’Neill
finished a commendable fifth overall, the highest- placed non-ProTour rider, but Health Net’s sprinters Gord Fraser and Greg Henderson could only watch as J.J. Haedo and Olaf Pollack took the fast finishes. The Oakland-based team upped its general classification hopes for 2007 with the addition of Australian Rory Sutherland and Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, but lost Fraser to retirement and Henderson to T-Mobile. Also bringing the horsepower from Down Under will be VeloNews 2006 domestic roadie of the year Karl Menzies, a threat in both bunch-sprint finishes and breakaways. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
34 National Racing Calendar victories,
13 UCI race victories, 83 total victories and
155 podium appearances, with international
GC wins at the Tour of Taiwan and New Zealand’s Tour of Wellington, and a stage win at Australia’s Herald Sun Tour. SPONSOR: Health-care organization, tire manufacturer
TEAM DIRECTOR: Jeff Corbett
ASSISTANT: Mike Tamayo
EQUIPMENT: Cannondale bikes, Shimano components WWW.TEAMHEALTHNET.COMThe Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis (USA)Russell Downing (GBR)Kyle Gritters (USA)Ryder Hesjedal (Can)Tim Johnson (USA)Karl Menzies (Aus)Shawn Milne (USA)Kirk O'Bee (USA)Rory Sutherland (Aus)

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NAVIGATORS INSURANCE [USA]
Run by wily former racer Ed Beamon, Navigators Insurance enters 2007 in its fourteenth year as a professional team, the longest-running American program of its kind. At the 2006 Amgen Tour of California
Phil Zajicek entered the final stage in 15th, the top-ranked non-ProTour American rider, but was taken out in a crash and did not finish. With Zajicek and Australian Ben Day, the team should place well in the time trial, but whether either rider can contend for an overall podium placing is questionable. Should the team focus on stage wins, Uzbek national road champion Sergey Lagutin and Aussie Ben Brooks are threats in any breakaway, while Australian Hilton Clarke was one of the top sprinters in North America in 2006. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Over 60 victories, including the Tour de Beauce, International Tour de Toona, USPRO Criterium Championships, Bank of America Criterium, Tour of Elk Grove and the Pennsylvania Triple Crown title. SPONSOR: Maritime insurance company
TEAM DIRECTOR: Ed Beamon
ASSISTANT: Vassili Davidenko
EQUIPMENT: Colnago bikes, Campagnolo components
WWW.NAVPRO.COMNavigators Insurance Cycling Team (USA)Glen Chadwick (NZ)Hilton Clarke (Aus)Ben Day (Aus)Valeriy Kobzarenko (Ukr)Sergey Lagutin (Uzb)Darren Lill (RSA)Viktor Rapinski (Blr)Phil Zajicek (USA)
   

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SLIPSTREAM-CHIPOTLE [USA]
Though the name has changed, many of the riders from last year’s TIAACREF squad remain. For 2007 the team has registered as UCI Professional Continental, and has taken on the name of its managing
company Slipstream Sports, run by former Euro pro Jonathan Vaughters. No longer a developmental program, Slipstream’s riders came into their own in 2006 and are now viewed as a serious threat as they progress towards their goal of reaching the ProTour by 2009. At the inaugural Amgen Tour of California, the team was active in breakaways, with climbing sensation Tom Peterson taking the best young rider’s jersey. Former Phonak rider Pat McCarty will be team captain, but watch for former world under-23 time trial Danny Pate to strive for the podium while Peterson looks to defend his young rider’s title. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS:
Peterson’s best young rider title, Huff’s stage win at the Tour of Normandy and his USPRO national criterium championship and Pate’s podium finish at the USA Cycling national road championship capped off a successful transition year for TIAA-CREF. SPONSOR: Sports management company, restaurant chain
TEAM DIRECTOR: Jonathan Vaughters
ASSISTANT: Allen Lim
EQUIPMENT: Felt bikes, Shimano components
WWW.SLIPSTREAMSPORTS.COMTeam Slipstream Powered by Chipotle (USA)Steven Cozza (USA)Jason Donald (USA)Lucas Euser (USA)William Frischkorn (USA)Patrick McCarty (USA)Danny Pate (USA)Thomas "Tom" Peterson (USA)Taylor Tolleson (USA)

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Continental TeamsTOYOTA-UNITED [USA]
The inaugural Amgen Tour of California doubled as the debut race for the Toyota-United squad, and the team couldn’t have scripted a better outcome when Juan Jose Haedo emerged at the head of the field in two of the first four stages. Haedo has moved on to CSC for 2007, but the team wisely acquired experienced Australian hardman Henk Vogels from Davitamon-Lotto to lead out Cuban sprinter Ivan Dominguez and Irish fastman Mark Scanlon. Without a solid threat for general classification — their top rider last year was two-time national time trial champion Chris Baldwin, in 23rd — look for Toyota-United to be opportunistic in the hunt for stage wins. Baldwin and 2005 USPRO road champion Chris Wherry won’t likely be given much leash leading up to the time trial, however, so instead look to riders like Heath Blackgrove and Ivan Stevic to escape when the road turns up. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
24 National Racing Calendar wins, second place in the NRC team rankings, two stage wins, Amgen Tour of California, plus wins at the Tour of the Gila, Tour of Utah, Tour de Toona, Tri-Peaks Challenge and four out of six wins at the USA Crits Series. SPONSORS: Auto manufacturer, sports management
TEAM DIRECTORS: Harm Jansen, Kirk Willett
EQUIPMENT: Fuji bikes, Shimano components WWW.TOYOTA-UNITED.COMToyota-United Pro Cycling Team (USA)Chris Baldwin (USA)Heath Blackgrove (NZ)Ivan Dominguez (Cub)Justin England (USA)Mark Scanlon (Irl)Sean Sullivan (Aus)Henk Vogels (Aus)Chris Wherry (USA)

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BMC RACING [USA]
Based in Santa Rosa, California, and sponsored by the Swiss bicycle maker of the same name, the BMC Racing team has a mixed roster of Swiss and American cyclists. Two top Swiss talents are former Phonak veteran Alex Moos, an established top climber and time trialist, and David Vitoria, also a strong time trialist. Jackson Stewart, resident of Los Gatos, California, will return to defend his overall award for most aggressive rider. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS BMC
Racing is a new team for 2007. SPONSOR: Bicycle manufacturer
TEAM DIRECTOR: Gavin Chilcott ASSISTANT: Charlie Livermore
EQUIPMENT: BMC bikes, Shimano components WWW.BMCRACINGTEAM.COMBMC Racing Team (USA)Jonathan Garcia (USA)Ken Hanson (USA)Ian McKissick (USA)Alex Moos (Swi)Scott Nydam (USA)Michael Sayers (USA)Jackson Stewart (USA)David Vitoria (Swi)

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JELLY BELLY [USA]
Sponsored by the candy company from Fairfield, California, the Jelly Belly team enters its ninth season with its youngest team ever. Leading the team is Colorado’s  Andy Bajadali, the sole domestic rider capable of mounting a challenge to Discovery riders George Hincapie and Levi Leipheimer at the 2006 USA Cycling professional road race championships, where he ended up sixth. The team will come to California looking to get Mike Jones into a breakaway and Alex Candelario into good position for the sprints.2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Competed in more than 200 races, with 27
victories overall. SPONSOR: Confections manufacturer
TEAM DIRECTOR: Danny Van Haute
EQUIPMENT: Orbea bikes, Campagnolo components WWW.JELLYBELLYCYCLING.COMJelly Belly Cycling Team (USA)Andrew Bajadali (USA)Alex Candelario (USA)Brian Dziewa (USA)Brice Jones (USA)Mike Jones (USA)Bryce Mead (USA)Jeremy Powers (USA)Nick Reistad (USA)

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COLAVITA-SUTTER HOME [USA]
Led by former USPRO Champion Tom Schuler, the Colavita-Sutter Home team is an American team with international fl avor. Gone is former USPRO national road champion Mark McCormack, but the team is joined by newcomers that include Irish national champion David McCann and two-time San Francisco Grand Prix winner and former Canadian criterium champion Charles Dionne, a sprinter who can survive short climbs. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Seven NRC wins and several top-10 finishes. SPONSORS: Olive oil production and distribution, wine production and distribution
TEAM DIRECTOR: Tom Schuler
ASSISTANT: Gus Carillo
EQUIPMENT: Blue bikes, Shimano components WWW.TEAMCOLAVITA.COMColavita/Sutter Home Presented by Cooking Light Team (USA)Alejandro Acton (Arg)Gustavo Artacho (Arg)Anthony Colby (USA)Charles Dionne (Can)Davide Frattini (I)Peter Hatton (Aus)David McCann (Irl)Tyler Wren (USA)

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PRIORITY HEALTH-BISSELL [USA]
The 2006 season made for a respectable debut for the first-year Priority Health-Bissell team, which saw Tom Zirbel take prologue wins at the Tour of Shenandoah and Tour de Nez, and time-trial wins and the overall at the Parker Mainstreet Omnium and the Valley of the Sun. Team rider-manager Brian Sheedy returned to form last year, winning the prologue at the Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic. The growing team comes to California with seven new riders, including Ben Jacques-Maynes from Berkeley. The team will be hoping to leave a stamp on either the prologue or the time trial, or perhaps sneak Zirbel into a breakaway. 2006 TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
Stage wins at the Cascade Classic, Tour de Nez, Parker Main Street Omnium and Fitchburg. SPONSOR: Health-plan company, cleaning tools and supplies
TEAM DIRECTOR: Glen Mitchell
EQUIPMENT: Pinarello bikes, SRAM components
WWW.TEAMPRIORITYHEALTH.COMPriority Health Cycling Team Presented by Bissell (USA)Emile Abraham (TTO)Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA)Edward "Ted" King (USA)Robbie King (USA)Garrett Peltonen (USA)Brian Sheedy (USA)Tom Zirbel (USA)Scott Zwizanski (USA)

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National Teams
USA CYCLING DEVELOPMENT TEAM [USA]
Supported by AMD, Specialized, the USA Cycling Development Foundation and VMG Racing, the USA Cycling national development team represents some of the best and brightest young competitive cyclists. With a resident program in Belgium, USA Cycling gives young aspiring pros the resources needed to succeed at cycling’s highest level. A full staff of directors, trainers and mechanics support a complete European race program that allows top young talent to pursue their professional and Olympic dreams in both Europe and North America. Each year, USA Cycling selects a pool of future stars to compete on the national team and represent the United States in domestic races as well as key international races and the world championships. Since its inception in 1999, the development team has placed eight riders on UCI ProTour teams: David Zabriskie, Tyler Farrar, Saul Raisin, Michael Creed, Aaron Olson, Damon Kluck, Patrick McCarty and the latest member of the Discovery Channel team, John Devine. SPONSORS: USA Cycling, AMD, VMG Racing
TEAM DIRECTOR: Noel Dejonkheere
ASSISTANT: Chann McRae
EQUIPMENT: Specialized bikes, Shimano components WWW.USACYCLING.ORGUSA Cycling National Development Team (USA)Brent Bookwalter (USA)Sheldon Deeny (USA)John Devine (USA)Caleb Fairly (USA)Zachary Grabowski (USA)Scott Stewart (USA)Chris Stockburger (USA)Tejay Van Garderen (USA)

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