On Tuesday, February 14, at the training camp in Solvang, California, Team CSC announced the names of the eight riders who will compete in the inaugural Tour of California.
The international squad includes: Lars Bak (Denmark), Fabian Cancellara (Switzerland), Bobby Julich (USA), Karsten Kroon (Holland), Stuart O'Grady (Australia), Christian Vande Velde (USA), Jens Voigt (Germany) and David Zabriskie (USA).
Bjarne Riis, owner and manager of Team CSC, also announced the squad's great ambitions for the UCI-rated 2.1 stage race from February 19-26. "I'm sending a very motivated group of riders who can win the Tour of California," Riis said. "And since the race finishes in Southern California, near the headquarters of CSC, our title sponsor, it's a race we'd clearly love to win."
Swiss team Phonak has also communicated its rider line-up for the American stage race. Team managers John Lelangue and René Savary will take the following riders: Martin Elmiger, Robert Hunter, Nicolas Jalabert, Floyd Landis, Patrick McCarty, Alexandre Moos, Miguel A. Perdiguero and Steve Zampieri.
Wind tunnel tests for Phonak
As the event approaches, the Phonak Team is busy conducting tests in a wind tunnel in San Diego - a first for the outfit. Several tests have already been carried out in the so-called low-speed wind tunnel, and over the course of three days Floyd Landis, Santiago Botero and Miguel Angel Perdiguero will be pedalling against the wind.
Particular focus will be laid on seating positions and components like clothing and helmets. The team leaders Landis, Botero and Perdiguero might not be the only Phonak riders to be examined in this way. "It’s possible that we’ll test with the other time-trial specialists in the wind tunnel, too," said René Savary.
