In what is sure to be an annual occurance, the Amgen Tour of California today announced its official route and host cities, along with several big name American riders that will ride in the May stage race. Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, George Hincapie and David Zabriskie are confirmed participants, and the list is sure to grow as other teams finalize racing schedules for their riders.
The debate can now officially begin as to whether riding the AToC is the best prep for the July Tour de France. Over the past few years many riders have chosen to ride the Giro d'Italia for preparation for the July Tour de France, as a three week grand tour builds fitness like no training can. Now that the AToC is on the schedule for May though, riders will have to weigh the risks and benefits of attending the Californian nine day race instead of the Giro.
For Armstrong, Leipheimer, Hincapie and Zabriskie, the choice is already made, seemingly without too much thought. But the wisdom of their decision will be determined only after the AToC and Giro are finished. Should Armstrong come to the July Tour de France and have a poor showing, the die could be cast against the AToC as a good prep race ahead of the French grandaddy of all stage races. Conversely, if Armstrong should have a great showing at the Tour in July, the AToC will be validated as a good prep race for the Tour. A podium finish in the overall standings would show that a rider can come to the US for the AToC and still prepare for an assault on the July Tour.
For the Europeans the situation will be more difficult a decision to make. Not only will they be sacrificing possible stage wins at one of the most prestigious stage races in cycling, but they will also be required to travel across multiple time zones, disrupting their sleep and leaving them open to colds or other sicknesses. Unlike when the Tour of California was in February, there will be no long team training camps ahead of the race, so riders will be state-side for far shorter periods than in previous years.
One area that the AToC will definitely suffer will be in relation to the Italian contingent that shows up to California to race. Names like Ivan Basso, Rinaldo Nocentini, Franco Pellizotti and even Marco Pinotti won't be in California, as they'll instead lobby to attend their home country's grand tour. The lack of Italians in California will leave less big time talent in the field, but will allow for other nationalities to show themselves in the flagship American race. For Italy the same will be true of the American contingent. Far fewer Americans will be in Italy to contest the Giro, instead staying home to support their country's biggest race.
The big wild card in the arguement are the sprinters and one day specialists. Thor Hushovd, Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish and others will have hard choices to make. Do they head to California for the chance at a few stage wins or do they stay in Europe and race one of the three biggest races in the world with an eye on a top performance in July in France? A twenty stage race will afford more opportunities at victory than a nine day race, and the prestige of being a grand tour winner, despite what AToC supporters (including us!) would have one believe, is still much more valuable than a stage in California.
As the Amgen Tour of California and Giro d'Italia prepare to butt up against each other for the first time, many questions remain. The big name American riders have clearly cast their support toward California, but until the Giro presentation we won;t know the stance of the Italians. How the first year with the new date goes will be far more important to the AToC than the Giro. If July's Tour de France sees more Giro stars battling at the front of the peloton than Tour of California protagonists, the now five year old stage race could find itself pigeon-holed into being viewed as a race unworthy of grand tour-level riders.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
2010 Giro d'Italia vs. Amgen Tour of California: The Opening Salvo
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3 comments:
As per your poll it is obvious that most would prefer to ride in the Giro instead of The TOC. But on a selfish note from a passionate fan, what better way to watch and cheer some of the best domestic & international pro cyclist than The TOC. Even though some of us find a way to view European racing, the feeling is not the same as LIVE RACING!! In todays economy with sponsorship far and few between I think a great way to pay back sponsors (Garmen, Radio Shack, Etc.) is by keeping great races on domestic soil.
The Ambasador
I can understand the American riders choosing the TOC race over the Giro because they want to help sell cycling in the U.S. but I would have liked Armstrong to choose the 2010 Tour of Italy because the mountain stages are absolutely brutal next year. The Giro this year was extremely weak as far as ther mountain stages. Armstrong never competed against any of the top climbers in the world in his prime except for Basso in a couple of Tour de Frances' and Basso held his own against him.
I can understand most of the American cyclists choosing the TOC over the Giro but i would have liked if Armstrong raced in next years' Tour of Italy. The course is absolutely brutal as far as the mountain stages go. Even though Armstrong is past his prime, I would have liked to see him climb with the best. He has always avoided the best climbers in the world by bypassing the giro.The only exception would be the two Tour de frances' against Basso who held his own gainst him both times.
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