Upcoming: 6th Tour of Georgia, April 21-27, 2008

Euro Peloton's 100th Post!!!

The Tour of Georgia brings big time racing back to America again in 2008, after the recent Tour of California. Four Pro Tour outfits will highlight the field, as well as the American sponsored team Slipstream. As usual, some of the favorites are American, but some non-Americans will have a chance for the over all as well.

The list of favorites is led by the reigning Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer, whose Astana team will be motivated to take the overall in Georgia after having dominated the GC in California. Leipheimer will be supported by stalwarts Chris Horner and Che-Chu Rubiera, as the small climbing icon hunts for the win.

Team CSC will come to Georgia with Americans Bobby Julich and Jason McCartney,and both are capable enough to stay with the climbers in the high mountains and are good time trialists. JJ Haedo will be on hand to take part in the sprints for the world's number one team, as CSC looks to continue their early season domination.

The Slipstream contingent will be led by the fragile and oft-injured Tom Danielson, who is coming back from a back injury. His form will be a question mark, and he'll be backed up by Christian Vande Velde, always good on GC, and David Zabriskie, time trial savant. Finally, young Lucas Euser will learn about climbing with the world's elite on the Brass Town Bald stage.

Last but not least, the Rock Racing team will finally have a chace to march out their "Big Three" fo Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero and Oscar Sevilla. Botero and Sevilla will aim for the overall, while Hamilton will continue to improve his form and take things day by day. "Fast Freddy" Rodriguez will try to win some sprints, and should have a good chance providing he gets plenty of lead out help from his team.

Although not as star-studded as the Tour of California, there are stiull some big names riding Georgia. Others to watch include George Hincapie and Andre "Gorrilla" Greipel of team High Road, the "Cuban Missle" Ivan Rodriguez and Dominique Rollin of Toyota United, and Mike "No Worries" Creed of the Rock team, who is a savvy rider good as slipping away into breakaways.