The 2014 Amgen Tour of California, which starts his Sunday has announced their Pro Men’s and Women’s rosters.
Amgen Tour of California Men’s Race
With 128 riders from 16 elite professional cycling teams, the Amgen Tour of California will include some of the most decorated cyclists in the world, from Team Sky’s Bradley Wiggins, the first cyclist in history to win Olympic gold and the Tour de France in the same year; to Omega Pharma – Quick-Step’s Mark Cavendish, who holds the third ever most Tour de France stage wins (25); to Cannondale’s Peter Sagan, who holds the record for the most Amgen Tour of California stage wins (10). The accolades held by the field of 128 are as lengthy as the start list itself, including:
World Champions (10)
- Thor Hushovd, BMC Racing Team (2010 Road Race, 1988 U23 Time Trial)
- Tom Boonen, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team (2005 Road Race)
- Mark Cavendish, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team (2011 Road Race, 2008 Madison-Track, 2005 Madison-Track)
- Taylor Phinney, BMC Racing Team (2010 U23 Time Trial, 2009 and 2010 Pursuit-Track, 2008 Junior Pursuit-Track, 2007 Junior Time Trial)
- Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky (2008 Team, Individual Pursuit-Track, Madison-Track, 2007 Team and Individual Pursuit-Track, 2003 Pursuit-Track)
- Matthew Goss, ORICA-GreenEDGE (2006 Team Pursuit-Track)
- Rohan Dennis, Team Garmin-Sharp (2011 and 2010 Team Pursuit-Track)
- Simon Yates, ORICA-GreenEDGE (2013 Points Race-Track)
- Jack Bobridge, Belkin Pro Cycling Team (2011 Team and Individual Pursuit-Track, 2010 Team Pursuit Track, 2009 U23 Time Trial, 2006 and 2007 Junior Team Pursuit-Track)
- Danny Pate, Team Sky (2001 U23 Time Trial)
Current National Champions (6):
- Peter Sagan, Cannondale Pro Cycling (Slovakia, Road)
- Thor Hushovd, BMC Racing Team (Norway, Road)
- Fred “Freddie” Rodriguez, Jelly Belly Cycling Team p/b MAXXIS (U.S., Road)
- Mark Cavendish, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team (UK, Road)
- Tom Zirbel, Optum Pro Cycling p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies (U.S., Time Trial)
- Michael Schär, BMC Racing Team (Switzerland, Road)
Tour de France Stage Winners (6):
- Mark Cavendish, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team (25)
- Thor Hushovd, BMC Racing Team (10)
- Tom Boonen, Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team (6)
- Jens Voigt, Trek Factory Racing (3)
- Peter Sagan, Cannondale Pro Cycling (4)
- Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky (2)
Grand Tour Overall Podium Finishers:
Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky (1st 2012 Tour de France, 3rd 2011 Vuelta a España, 3rd 2009 Tour de France)
Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race
Following the start of the men’s race on May 11, women from the top professional, national and composite teams will face off on the 1.25-mile circuit course around the State Capitol building in Sacramento. Capped at 115 riders, the massive field will include some of the sport’s best. Many of the women racing are repeat Olympians, World and National titleholders, and have resumes including victories at top road races around the world.
The field is filled with former and current National Champions including:
- Team Specialized-lululemon’s Evelyn Stevens, who also is defending champion of last year’s time trial; and Carmen Small, current National Time Trial Champion, as well as a podium finisher at the 2012 National Road Race Championships;
- UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team’s Alison Powers, who has held multiple national titles; and Mara Abbott, two-time National Road Race Champion and two-time winner of the Giro d’Italia Femminile (2010 and 2013);
- FCS|Zngine p/b Mr. Restore’s Amber Neben, who has held multiple national and world titles in road racing and time trial;
- DNA Cycling p/b K4’s Tina Pic, one of the winningest women of overall race finishes and championship titles in the U.S.;
- SPY GIANT RIDE p/b MRI’s Robin Farina, 2011 National Road Race Champion.
Above Photo – Tom Boonen during the time trial in Bakersfield at the 2012 edition of the Amgen Tour of California.
Photo © Christy Nicholson / EchelonDesignPhoto.com
