The French are coming! And the Italians! And the Belgians, the Dutch, the Danes, and whatever you call people from Luxembourg.
Amgen Tour of California officials recently released the 2009 team roster, made up of cycling groups from around Europe and the United States. The list includes Ag2r-La Mondiale (France), Astana (Luxembourg), Garmin-Slipstream (U.S.A.), Liquigas (Italy), Quick Step (Belgium), Rabobank (Netherlands), Team Columbia (formerly Team High Road, U.S.A.), and Team Saxo Bank (Denmark).
Fans more interested in individuals than teams will be happy to know that, yes, Lance Armstrong will be racing, as will two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer.
Final rosters will be announced in February.
The race runs from Feb. 14 to 22, 2009, and stops in Solvang for individual time trials on Feb. 20. For more information about the local leg, visit tourofcalifornia- solvang.com.
Executive Editor Ryan Miller compiled this week’s Sports Shorts. Send items for consideration to rmiller@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2008 – Jan 1, 2009.