2011 Amgen Tour of California ProTour Squads

[Mellow Velo]

So, the PT move has been shifted to 2012? That isn't great news, given that the race's main attractions are on their last legs.
I suspect this has a lot to do with the Catch 22 situation of not being able to invite US non-PT teams, once the move has been made.
Hopefully, though, the will increase the field this year, to 19 or 20 squads, in preparation.

 

[Christian]

Lux might bring Monfort as a leader, since he will be "a protected rider for some stage races of the World Tour calendar".

Still - I'm liking my Van Garderen idea. An American team wins the biggest American race with the biggest American GC-prospect - HTC must be all over that

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I'm not sure team lux will even want to ride this. Agree monfort could do well tho.

 

[JRTinMA]

I'm not sure team lux will even want to ride this. Agree monfort could do well tho.

I think Trek would want them at ToC.

 

[Rocksteady]

I like the fact that the TOC has big teams with 2nd tier riders leading the race. It was fun to see Jens attack last year. Add the MTF and there should be a good show. Will the Big GC names be a factor in this race?? Of course not. but they should bring some strong teams with guys that want to win (like DZ, Mick Rogers, Jens, and Levi last year). I would like to see:

Garmin with DZ/Ryder/Millar
HTC with Tejay
Sky with Rogers/Wiggans
Shack will be there probably with Levi
BMC: Hope they bring more than Big George - Love the guy but he is not a GC rider
Lux would be cool or LeakyGas. Rabo would be nice too.

 

[Boeing]

The better question is who will the fringe teams be?

Jamis Sutter Home?

 

[craig1985]

I can't see Sky doing California just yet.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I think Trek would want them at ToC.

The problem comes if they get a Giro invite - with a large German presence on the team and Mercedes-Benz as sponsors, the Bayern-Rundfahrt, Velothon Berlin and Rund um die Braunkohle are all in mid-late May (and Frankfurt at the start of it too); and with a Belgian contingent and the Benelux connection there's the Tour of Belgium at that time too. Without the Giro invite, it's no problem, but if they do get one, that could lead to some difficult decisions with regards the riders and sponsors they prioritise.

 

[ingsve]

I can't see Sky doing California just yet.

Well, I guess it would mainly be if Rogers wants to defend his title. I don't think they need to do it. Preparing for the Tour in already in May does not seem to be that important. The races in June are usually more important as direct preparation.

 

[Angliru]

I think Trek would want them at ToC.

I'm sure Andy will want to come for the girls/beaches/partying alone. He'll likely be virtually invisible once the racing starts.

 

[biokemguy]

No LUX hopefully

Given how Saxo raced ToC last year, I hope Schleck et. al aren't invited.
Why invite a top team if they aren't actually gonna race?

I'll be shocked if HTC is not there.

 

[roundabout]

Saxo had 2 second places in the sprints and 6th overall with a rider who's on the LUX team this year. They weren't great, but certainly not anonymous.

 

[The Hitch]

I'll be shocked if HTC is not there.

HTC will be there. Their c team can compete, let alone a and b teams. Last year they won stages with Cav, Dodger AND Martin. They won the freaking Tour of Britain with Albassini. Even if they sent their 9 best riders to the Giro,( and they wont) the remaining riders would easily be good enough to compete

 

[craig1985]

Given the course for the Giro, I think we can safely say that Cav will return to California then ride the Giro.

 

[IlCobraFan]

This will be the ProTeams:

BMC Racing Team
Team HTC - Highroad
Team RadioShack
Garmin - Cervélo
Team Sky
Luxembourg Pro Team
Liquigas - Cannondale
Rabobank

Rabobank and Cannondale are official sponsors of Tour of California.