27 April 2016

News and stories of interest for Fans - Tour of California

STORIES OF INTEREST at the 2016 Tour of California

Did you know that Jelly Belly Racing Team has been together for seventeen years and is the only Pro Team based near San Diego, California, in San Marcus. Read more.

Peter Sagan, the current Slovakian National Champion and current World Champion Road, will sign a new team contract next year and is reported to be seeking a salary of over 6 million. Considering that the entire Jelly Belly team operates under a budget of 1.5 million (and gives out free jelly beans), that is a lot of money for riding a bike. In the words of Bob Roll, "Is he worth it? I think he is absolutely worth it. He is the best thing that has happened to professional cycling in a long while. He is a phenomenal rider." Peter will wear bib #1 as the defending champion of the Tour of California.

Legendary basketball player Bill Walton is a familiar face at the Tour of California. He loves riding a bike. Read more Bill Walton Is All About the Bike, By Jason Gay at The Wall Street Journal.

You might notice some changes in team names this year. Holowesko-Citadel is the old team Hincapie Racing. Rally is the old Optum. Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka is the old MTN-Qhubeka. Direct Énergie is the old Europcar team. Axeon Hagens Berman cycling team morphed out of Bissell Development Team. Note that the names have changed but not every sponsor or rider on these new teams is the same.

Did you know pro cyclist Taylor Phinney (BMC) is also an artist? And you have a chance to win a BMC bike custom painted by Taylor, enter bike contest on VeloNews. You might have known that Taylor's dad Davis Phinney works with the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson's, did you know Taylor's mom Connie Carpenter Phinney is also a former Olympian cyclist and speed-skater, and a race stage announcer for women's pro cycling? Taylor's painted bikes look a bit like a Dario Pegoretti bike, read: A handmade Pegoretti bike, By Pedal Dancer®.

Fans gather to watch the stage start in Santa Barbara in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Spectators at the women's race in northern California, are up for a real treat in watching Great Britain racer Lizzie Armistead (Boels Dolmans Cycling Team). Cycling News reports that Armistead is indeed heading to California to race. US road champion Megan Guarnier, women's UCI Hour Record holder Evelyn Stevens, and two-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong will also compete in the women's race.

We actually have another Host City for the Tour of California this year that should be acknowledged and appreciated - Modesto. Teams will be staying in hotels in Modesto between Stages 4 and 5 on May 18th. According to Lodinews.com, Modesto City Council voted to enter into an agreement (that agreement equaling a $75,000 cost in hotels and restaurants for teams and staff) with Amgen to host the riders over the one night, having finished the stage in Monterey, the teams will then travel to Lodi the next morning for the stage start.

The Directeur Sportif for the Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) team is Jonkheer ("The Honourable") Axel Merckx, son of Eddy Merckx who has been made a baron in Belgium. The team's bike sponsor is not Merckx bikes, instead they race on Specialized bikes. Keep your eyes open at the race because Eddy Merckx has been known to visit looking like any other fan in the crowd. I have returned home only to look through photographs to realize "What? I was standing next to Eddy!"

Riders come and go to the sign-in stage at a stage start; lots of activity to watch for fans. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Stage 1 start time is 11:30 AM (the San Diego Local Organizing Committee has wrongly printed the start time as 10:30 am, this is incorrect). As at every other UCI race, riders must sign-in on the sign-in stage at least one hour before the stage start (some sign in with 10 minutes to go). There is also a customary singing of the national anthem before the start; these proceedings are not considered the official race start. The start time is solid (when the gun sounds), affecting road closures and TV coverage. So, show up early, but the race starts at 11:30 a.m.

Tourism is real business. Host cities pay large sums to Amgen Tour of California to host a stage start or finish. Their motivation is to increase tourism by being seen on TV, and boosting visitors on race day and repeat customers. Lodinews.com reports encouraging statistics overall from 2015, with the Tour of California one of their biggest events of the year, "Lodi Wine and Visitors Center has seen a 21 percent uptick in walk-in customers, and the number of visitors to the Visit Lodi webpage have increased by 163 percent. Hotels are reporting as high as 85 to 92 percent occupancy rates."

Fans huddle around a TV at a mountain top finish on Mt Baldy last year. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Team Novo-Nordisk deserves your attention. They are not only a team sponsored by a manufacturer of medications for diabetes, they are a team of riders who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Not only inspirational but educational for young athletes wanting to understand the potential of their disease and being an elite athlete. Read more in an interview out of the U.K.: Former Team Novo Nordisk cyclist Joe Eldridge discusses his type 1 diabetes management. Also read Type I Training Tips from a National Champion (track), written by Mandy Marquardt of team Novo Nordisk.

Not only did ex-pro Jens Voigt participate in this year's L'Etape California, the day when amateur cyclists took on Stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California (from Thousand Oaks up Gibralter Rd to La Cumbre Peak in Santa Barbara), but you are guaranteed to meet and get a signed autograph from Jens during two Meet and Greets, with a limited number of fans, in conjunction with V.I.P. Passes purchased in Santa Clarita or Monterey, by paying $65 extra for a 1-on-1 with Jens. Go to this page select more info to ask about meeting Jensie. Or complete this form.

This year citizens who are cancer survivors, caretakers or those affected by the disease will have the opportunity to participate in the Breakaway Mile (walk) in three host cities: San Diego, Santa Rosa, and Sacramento. Register for the Breakaway Mile.

The Giant-Alpecin team waits for an espresso outside the Rapha espresso trailer in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
There are some firsts for the 2016 version of the Tour of California. This will be the first time the race has finished up Gibralter Rd to La Cumbre Peak in Santa Barbara, the first time Morro Bay has hosted a stage start, and the first time the race has ridden on the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey County. This will also be the longest distance (almost 800 miles) covered in the race with the most climbing (about 65,000ft).

In this old piece on Bike Forums, Eric Smith, now Race Technical Director for Amgen Tour of California, Eric explains the process for creating the race route well in advance. Tour of CA "How-To" by Eric Smith.

For fans of the Spring Classics in Belgium and France, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) recently won both Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields and Ronde van Vlaanderen / Tour des Flandres. While young Logan Owen (Axeon Hagens Berman) won the Under-23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège title and Jon Dibben (Team Wiggins) won the 2016 U23 Tour of Flanders version. Huge victories.

Fun to watch the riders warm up before the time trial (here are Mark Cavendish and Julian Alaphilippe). ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Sponsors: According to the bike blog The Inner Ring, Katusha's team name "is an abbreviated version of Ekaterina, Catherine in English and a famous Soviet wartime folk song in Russia." They are also the only WorldTour team at the Tour of California to be using SRAM components. Did you know Segafredo is one company making up the MZB group based in Italy, the group is the world's largest coffee producers. Did you know team Tinkoff gets its name from Oleg Tinkoff who built his business fortune brewing upscale beers for young professionals in Russia. Did you know the South African team Dimension Data is also sponsored by Deloitte, based in New York City, the company is the largest international professional services network in the world by revenue. And I am grateful they like cycling.

The city and county of San Diego have gone all out as the start host city for the 2016 Amgen Tour of California. Engaging businesses and local community support, they have many pre-race and Stage 1 activities planned for locals and visitors, including a celebration for the team presentation. More information: San Diego ATOC.

The annual Luther Burbank Rose Parade will take place from 12:15-2:15 p.m. in Santa Rosa on the same day as Stage 7, while the peloton is out on course. Joan Lunden, a breast cancer survivor, will be Grand Marshall of the parade in Santa Rosa, more information.

Fan wait in the VIP tent. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
A particularly good deal is the VIP Hospitality Pass in San Diego ($209). The start line and finish line are not in the same place, but there will be VIP tents at both locations. I was told by the VIP Experience salesperson that a purchase of the Finish VIP pass in San Diego will get you into both places at the start and finish. Start VIP Hours will be from 10:00AM - 12:00 PM. Finish VIP Hours: 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Stage 7 in Santa Rosa will be another long day in the comfort of the VIP tent. Buy VIP tickets. 

This year, Stage 3 up Gibralter Road to La Cumbre Peak KOM is the Queen Stage of the Tour of California. Stage 7 in Santa Rosa is calling itself the King Stage, but is also the Penulitimate stage.

While many America pros are now living in Girona, Spain, or Nice, France - Dutch pro rider Laurens ten Dam (Giant-Alepcin team) now lives in Santa Cruz, CA with his family. Americans Andrew Talansky and Peter Stetina live in the Santa Rosa area of California.

Freddie Rodriguez and his son checking out the Jelly Belly swag in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Tour of California - maps, start and finish times, city website:
The communications and TV crew live in trucks on pavement for a week, here they share a meal before the action starts. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Deep on the TOUR OF CALIFORNIA GUIDE PAGE for fans at PedalDancer.com, original content has been compiled with great care to help the spectator learn more about the sport of professional cycling and have an enjoyable day at the race based on good information; leaving you free to have fun!

On the Guide Page you can find more information and tips on the race including:
  • Pre-race activities in San Diego
  • Team Presentation
  • How to watch the tour of California on TV and online live
  • Stage routes and maps for each stage of the Tour of California
  • The teams
  • VIP Passes and Experiences
  • Breakaway from Cancer Mile walk
  • L'Etape California
  • Blog Posts from Pedal Dancer®
  • Stories of Interest to fans
  • Tips on how to get an autograph 
  • Team jerseys
  • Classification jerseys
  • About the priority of jerseys
  • Jerseys at time trials
  • Who will wear bib #1
  • Who to follow on Twitter
  • Bikes and Equipment at the Tour of California
  • Tips on viewing a time trial as a fan
  • Tips on Photography
  • Race Organization
  • What Host Cities do
  • Fan Education
  • Terminology for the race
  • Tips for spectators
The mist on the mountain obscures the giant TV screen as fans peruse the expo on Mt Baldy. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016 Amgen Tour of California:

23 April 2016

Classification jerseys for the 2016 Tour of California

Leaders jersey, podium presentations and a guess at who will win ATOC in 2016.

The symbol of success.

Only the best in a field get to wear one of the four classification jerseys, plus the Tour of California's specific Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous jersey. Read more about the jerseys including the blue Breakaway jersey awarded to the rider on each stage who "best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer." The blue jersey is not a running tally of the best of classification but rather an acknowledgement given to one special rider after each of the eight Tour of California stages.

CLASSIFICATION JERSEYS

Classification Jerseys for the Amgen Tour of California 2016 are awarded for best type of rider in a field. This year the Tour of California will feature 5 classifications: Leader (fastest overall time, yellow jersey), Mountain (climber, red polka dot jersey), Sprint (faster sprinter, also called points classification, green jersey), Best Young Rider (under age 25, white jersey), Most Courageous (most combative/competitive, blue Breakaway from Cancer jersey). As the stage race progresses the overall classification winner is presented with his jersey after each stage and will wear the jersey at the start of the next day's stage. (An explanation of the jerseys at the official tour website).

The designs have changed for 2016.
Classification jerseys of the Tour of California
Classification jerseys of the Tour of California 2016: Leader, Sprinter, Climber, Young, Courageous
You can buy these jerseys at the ATOC shop. Did you know some races call it Most Aggressive and some call it Courageous or Combative (Read a blog post on the topic: Aggressively Courageous and Combative By Pedal Dancer®).

Podium 2015 Tour of California
Podium after Stage 6 of the 2015 Tour of California. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Podium presentations

For a fan, watching a podium presentation might be the best way to glimpse your favorite riders close-up and standing still. I recommend heading to the finish line area for the podium presentation, usually 15-minutes after the end of a stage.

Within those 15 minutes a lot happens: a designated team soigneur provides quick food and drink to the rider once they have crossed the finish line; congratulations are given and received; a sample is given at the drug screening tent; a quick interview or two might happen; the rider often changes clothes or shoes and replaces his helmet with a hat; and then they are led in a state of great confusion and exhaustion to the location of the podium. Where they sometimes have to climb up metal stairs to the stage in cycling shoes!

Before his heart rate has barely recovered the winner gets flowers, a bear and podium kisses. Like a celebrity at the academy awards, photographers call out his name in hopes of getting a gaze straight into the camera's lens. All of this takes practice and training to master, including avoiding blinking, smiling a lot and opening those champagne bottles.

Peter! Peter! over here Peter! Peter Sagan with Joanna and Allison in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
You would think every podium presentation would be the same, but a rider never knows that his destination is the stage until after his win or placement has sunk in, approximately 15-minutes prior to the podium presentations. The organization of the athletes, jersey presenters and the flow on stage is the job of the podium girls.

Champion Systems is the jersey sponsor for the classification jerseys at the Tour of California. Did you know they quickly iron on those team names patches to the back of a fresh classification jersey after the stage finishes. They know the riders' general jersey sizes and rush the prepared jerseys to the podium where the podium girls and a special presenter, zip the rider into their new classification jersey - backwards.

Mark Cavendish (green jersey) and Peter Sagan (yellow jersey)
No zippers in the front - Mark Cavendish (green jersey) and Peter Sagan (yellow jersey) in 2015.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
As you can see (below) the back of the jersey, where the zipper is located, is blank. These podium ceremonial jerseys are not the ones worn the next day. Typically they are kept, or are autographed and given as a souvenir.

Backwards blank classification jersey
Backwards blank classification jersey. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
By the stage start of the next day, the 2016 jersey sponsor Champion Systems will nicely print the team logo onto the front of each classification jersey for the day's stage.

No iron-on patch. Team logo on the classification jersey, zipper in front, ready to race. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
The team logo is also printed on the back of the jersey along with the rider's name.

Mark Cavendish's jersey professionally labeled front and back with his dossard (bib number) attached, ready for the stage. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Who won in 2015?
  • General Classification Leader (yellow jersey): Peter Sagan (then with Tinkoff-Saxo, now with Tinkoff)
  • Point Classification Leader (green jersey): Mark Canvendish (then with Etixx-Quickstep, now with Dimension Data).
  • KOM Classification (red and white polka-dot jersey): Daniel Oss (BMC)
  • Best Young Classification Leader (white jersey): Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep)
  • Team Classification (best team): Team SKY
Julian Alaphilippe
A young and happy (and looking like he wears a size extra-small) Julian Alaphilippe in the white jersey in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer
Who will win the Amgen Tour of California in 2016?
The start list of riders for the Tour of California should be announced within the next two weeks.

The caliber of riders in 2016 will be very high. This is going to be an exciting race in all categories as well as for the overall race win. Race Organizers (AEG) and Race Director Eric Smith were challenged this year by ASO to create a stellar route and race, and I believe they have done so. (ATOC route and maps)

Who will win?

No one can foresee the future of a bike race but the fun of being a fan is equal parts anticipation of the great riders who will compete and investing yourself through picking who you think will win. It is what makes sport fun. You might notice many race previews are the same, that is because we are all guessing. All that matters as fans is that over time we learn who is a GC contender, who is a sprinter and who is a climber. And that we dare to participate by guessing.

What makes the Amgen Tour of California race so special is that it is preparation for many riders heading to the Tour de France in July, it is also a chance for Pro Continental and Conti riders to strut their stuff against the best WorldTour riders in the world (and thus hoping for a continued or improved team contract). The short eight stage format over a mixed route with sprinting, time trial and climbing also lends itself to an exciting overall winner and attracts world-renowned racers.
A new design for 2016.
Who will wear yellow in 2016?

That is the great unknown, but I am looking at Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) who won the race in 2015, Rohan Dennis (BMC), Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC), Andrew Talansky (Cannondale), Lawson Craddock (Cannondale), Laurens ten Dam (Giant-Alpecin), or possible past winners Robert Gesink (LottoNL-Jumbo) or Bradley Wiggins (Team Wiggins).

American Peter Stetina is leading the Trek-Segafreda team, and crowd favorite (and social media wizard) American Taylor Phinney (BMC) will be back to animate the race in 2016. I am particularly looking forward to seeing how Lawson Craddock (Cannondale) performs.

 Who will wear green in 2016?

The race for the green jersey (points classification) will be very interesting this year and hotly contested. Watch out for Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), Rob Britton (Rally), John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel), Tyler Farrar (Dimension Data), Wouter Wippert (Cannondale), John Murphy (UHC) and many others once we know the true startlist.

Who will wear the King of the Mountains jersey in 2016?

Possibly Toms Skujiņ (Cannondale), Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep), Alex Braico or Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly).

Who will be the Best Young Rider in 2016:

Keep your eye on Logan Owen (Axeon Hagens Berman) recent winner of the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quickstep) winner of the white jersey at the 2015 ATOC, Lachlan Morton (Jelly Belly), Lawson Craddock (Cannondale), Toms Skujiņš (Cannondale), Robin Carpenter (Holowesko-Citadel), Danny van Poppel (SKY), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafreda), and Jon Dibben (Team Wiggins) who recently won the U23 Tour of Flanders.

Who will be at the Giro d' Italia and NOT in California?

We know the competition at the Tour of California will be high because the line up of 18 teams for the 2016 Tour of California is very impressive.

Every year the Giro d'Italia conflicts on the calendar with the Amgen Tour of California. The startlist for the Giro is the earliest indication of who will not be coming to California. Although Fabian Cancellara has not appeared at the ATOC in many years, I was certainly wishing he would be there in his final year of racing before retirement; he will not.

King of the Mountain classification winner in 2015 Daniel Oss (BMC) will be racing in Italy at the Giro d'Italia and thus not in the Tour of California to defend his polka-dot jersey. Joe Dombrowski and Michael Woods of Cannondale will both be racing at the Giro. Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) will not be in California to join the strong group of sprinters racing for the green jersey. Ryder Hesjedal, Fabian Cancellara, Boy Van Poppel, and Ricardo Zoidl will be representing Trek-Segrafreda in Italy. And American Ian Boswell will be racing the Giro for Team SKY, along with teammate Elia Viviani. Procyclingstats.com has the complete startlist for the 2016 Giro d' Italia.

Brad Shohner and Peter Sagan
Brad Sohner interviewing Peter Sagan on the podium in 2015.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®
Read an interview with Tour of California Stage Announcer Brad Sohner: Who is that voice on stage? By Pedal Dancer®. Read about Joanna and Allison who have been podium girls at the Tour of California for many years The Fans want Podium Girls?

To see all the team jerseys and bikes that will be at the Tour of California:  Team jerseys and team bikes at the Tour of California

Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:

22 April 2016

Bikes, Equipment and Clothing at the Tour of California

The best bikes and clothing at the Amgen Tour of California

This is a repeat of my blog post on Team bike and team jerseys at the Amgen tour of California. Somehow I posted two versions, so in this version I have elaborated on clothing and equipment sponsors for each team.

"You look so pro!"

The look is called pro, but being pro requires a legion of support staff and dedicated sponsors and partners. I know the riders work hard but they get to race on the best bike equipment in the industry. Sponsors give huge amounts of equipment or support to the teams in hopes that the spectators will see the high level of performance and want it for themselves.

Peter Sagan, the perfect model for promoting cycling apparel.  ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
UCI WorldTour

Equipment on the bike and on the rider:
  • BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes, Shimano, Mavic, Garmin, FSA, Rock Tape, fi’zi:k. Pearl Izumi clothing, Giro helmets, Oakley glasses.
  • Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes, Shimano, Mavic, Garmin, FSA, Rock Tape, fi’zi:k. Castelli clothing, POC helmets and glasses.
  • Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes, Roto Uno / Shimano, ENVE, Continental, fi’zi:k, Speedplay, Rotor, Lizard Skins. Met helmets, Oakley glasses.
  • Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes, Shimano, HED, Rovel, FSA. Vermarc clothing, Specialized helmet and glasses.
  • Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes, Shimano, Vittoria, Pro, Pioneer, Polar.  Exteondo clothing, Giant helmets, Oakley glasses.
  • Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes, SRAM, Zipp, Quarq. Katusha clothing, Giro helmets.
  • LottoNL – Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes, Shimano, FSA, Selle San Marco, Vittoria. SMS Santini clothing, Bell helmets, New Balance apparel.
  • Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, Shimano, PRO, Stages, fi’zi:k. Rapha clothing, Kask helmets, Oakley glasses, Asics apparel.
  • Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes, Shimano, FSA, Roval, HED, Look, Prologo, SRM. Sportful clothing, Oakley glasses.
  • Trek – Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes, Shimano, Bontrager, SRM. Bontrager helmets, Oakley glasses.
Did you know Segafredo is one company making up the MZB group based in Italy, they are the world's largest coffee producers. 

Trek bikes ready to race. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
UCI Professional Continental
  • Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes, Shimano / FSA
  • Novo Nordisk (USA) - Colnago bikes
  • United Healthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes, Shimano
UCI Continental
  • Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes, SRAM
  • Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - Felt bikes, Shimano
  • Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes
  • Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes, SRAM
  • Team Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, SRAM
Bikes lined up before the stage at ATOC in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
The staff our outfitted in team clothing as well.

Getting the bikes ready. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
Buy Apparel

You can buy Amgen Tour of California apparel and classification jerseys at the ATOC Shop. Champion Systems is the jersey sponsor for the classification jerseys at the Tour of California.

Classification jerseys for the 2016 Amgen Tour of California
Classification jerseys for the 2016 Amgen Tour of California
You can buy some of the ProTour team jerseys at www.probikekit.com or at boutique.letour.fr or find some of the old kits at www.cyclingbox.com.


Need a bike?

Of particular interest to the amateur cyclist's price point (depending on the build) would be the bikes of Team Katusha, Team Giant-Alpecin, Novo-Nordisk, Holowesko-Citadel, Direct Energie, Trek-Segafredo and Rally.

If you have no budget (or just want to drool over extravagant bikes) check out the bikes of Team SKY, Tinkoff, BMC, Etixx-Quickstep, United Healthcare, Axeon Hagens Berman, Dimension Data or the magnificent Team Wiggins team bike.

Win a BMC bike

You have a chance to win a BMC bike custom painted by Taylor Phinney, enter bike contest on VeloNews.
Guess whose bike this is? You will see it at the Tour of California in May (but you can't have it).

Peter Sagan's bikes
This is one of Peter Sagan's bikes. A very colorful Specialized Venge. Photo via tinkoffteam.com
Eighteen men's teams will compete in the 2016 Amgen Tour of California. These are the team jerseys and bikes, listed by: team website, country, jerseys, bikes and some of the equipment used on the bikes. Each team has a large group of equipment, goods and service suppliers (including cars!) which can be found on their team websites.

Read more about the WorldTour sponsors: Pro Team Sponsors – What Do They Do? By Inner Ring (descriptions of the products sponsors make).

One of my favorite sponsor combos: A Mini Cooper with Giant Bikes.

Let's take a look at what you will see as fans out on the road during the upcoming eight stages of the Amgen Tour of California. If you attend a start of any stage, be sure to walk by the team buses and check out the bikes lined up securely outside.

MEN'S TEAMS

UCI WorldTour Teams

BMC Racing Team (USA)

BMC team equipment on the bike: BMC bikes, Shimano, fi’zi:k, SRM, Continental. Pearl Izumi clothing, Giro helmets, Oakley glasses.

BMC team BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura Ace Di2
BMC team BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura Ace Di2. Photo via bmc-switzerland.com
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA)

Cannondale team equipment on the bike: Cannondale bikes, Shimano, Mavic, Garmin, FSA, Rock Tape, fi’zi:k. Castelli clothing, POC helmets and glasses.

Cannondale team Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-MOD
Cannondale team Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-MOD. Photo via www.cannondale.com
Dimension Data (South Africa)

Dimension Data team equipment on the bike: Cervelo bikes, Roto Uno / Shimano, ENVE, Continental, fi’zi:k, Speedplay, Rotor, Lizard Skins. Oakley glasses, Met helmets.

Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium)

Etixx-Quickstep team equipment on the bike: Specialized bikes, Shimano, HED, Rovel, FSA. Vermarc clothing, Specialized helmet and glasses.

Giant – Alpecin (Germany)

Giant-Alpecin team equipment on the bike: Giant bikes, Liv, Shimano, Vittoria, Pro, Pioneer, Polar. Exteondo clothing, Giant helmets, Oakley glasses.

Katusha (Russia)

Katusha team equipment on the bike: Canyon bikes, SRAM, Zipp, Quarq. Katusha clothing, Giro helmets.

Katusha swapped from Shimano to SRAM this year, and from Mavic to Zipp wheels this years, they also ride Canyon bikes, all products continuing to grow in tremendous popularity in the United States among amateur cyclists.

LottoNL- Jumbo (Netherlands)

LottoNL-Jumbo team equipment on the bike: Bianche bikes, Shimano, FSA, Selle San Marco, Vittoria. SMS Santini clothing, Bell helmets, New Balance apparel.

Sky (Great Britain)

SKY team equipment on the bike: Pinarello bikes, Shimano, PRO, Stages, fi’zi:k. Rapha clothing, Kask helmets, Oakley glasses, Asics apparel.

SKY team Pinarello Dogma F8
SKY team Pinarello Dogma F8. Photo via pinarello.com
Tinkoff (Russia)

Tinkoff team equipment on the bike: Specialized bikes, Shimano, FSA, Roval, HED, Look, Prologo, SRM. Sportful clothing, Oakley glasses.

Tinkoff team Specialized Tarmac
Tinkoff team Specialized Tarmac. Photo via tinkoffteam.com
Trek - Segafredo (USA)

Trek-Segafredo team equipment on the bike: Trek bikes, Shimano, Bontrager wheels and parts, SRM. Bontrager helmets, Oakley glasses.

Did you know Segafredo is one company making up the MZB group based in Italy, they are the world's largest coffee producers.

Trek-Segafredo team Trek Madone
Trek-Segafredo team Trek Madone. Photo via treksegafredo.com
UCI Professional Continental Teams

Direct Énergie (France)

Direct Énergie team equipment on the bike: BH bikes, Sigma, Shimano, FSA, Vision, Prologo, Hutchinson, Look.

Novo Nordisk (USA)

Novo Nordisk team equipment on the bike: Colnago bikes, Maxxis, Selle Italia, Stages, Pioneer, Catlilke helmets.

UnitedHealthcare (USA)

United Healthcare team equipment on the bike: Wilier bikes, Shimano, Maxxis, Pioneer, Deda, San Marco, Rocktape.

United Healthcare team Wilier Trestina
United Healthcare team Wilier Trestina
UCI Continental Teams

Axeon Hagens Berman (USA)
The Directeur Sportif for the team is Jonkheer ("The Honourable") Axel Merckx, son of Eddy Merckx who has been made a baron in Belgium.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team equipment on the bike: Specialized bikes, SRAM, Quarq, Zipp, Speedplay.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team Specialized Tarmac
Axeon-Hagens Berman team Specialized Tarmac.  Photo via 2016.axeoncycling.com
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA)

Holowesko - Citadel team equipment on the bike: Felt bikes, Shimano, Mavic, Michelin, Pro, Prologo.

Holowesko - Citadel team Felt bikes
Holowesko - Citadel team Felt bikes. Photo via twitter.com/TeamHincapie/
Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA)

Jelly Belly-Maxxis team equipment on the bike: Argon bikes, Maxxis, FSA, Prologo, Speedplay, Tocktape, Cateye and Jelly Beans.

Jelly Belly-Maxxis Argon 18
Jelly Belly-Maxxis Argon 18.  Photo via @JellyBellyTeam
Rally Cycling (USA)

Rally Cycling team equipment on the bike: Diamond Back bikes, SRAM, Mavic, HED, Kenda, Speedplay.

Team Wiggins (Great Britain) (Wikipedia)

Team Wiggins team equipment on the bike: Pinarello bikes, SRAM, Zipp, fi’zi:k.

Pinarello Dogma Wiggins team
Pinarello Dogma Wiggins team. Photo via twitter.com/OfficialWIGGINS
More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:
Coming soon: Startlist and bib number Amgen Tour of California 2016;  National and World Championship jerseys at the Tour of California; and stories from the race.

Team jerseys and team bikes at the Tour of California

The best bikes and clothing at the Amgen Tour of California

When the speed is so great, a team jersey is the recognizable symbol that lets us know instantly which rider won by an inch over the finish line. When combined in mass, team jerseys create a blur of color symbolic of the pro peloton in movement. Together with the clatter of bikes on rough pavement and the sound of wheels slicing through the air, the colorful jerseys create the atmosphere of professional bike racing.

Inside that blur of color is a dynamic mental struggle and physical fight to stay at the front of the race. From the fan's perspective the jersey, helmet, sunglasses, socks, shoes, and particularly the bike of a professional cyclists gives the impression of a calm, well trained, well equipped, well prepared athlete.

The look is called pro, but being pro requires a legion of support staff and dedicated sponsors and partners. Team jerseys are the symbol of this sport. Team bikes make it all happen in a display of dream machines.

Let's take a look at what you will see as fans out on the road during the upcoming eight stages of the Amgen Tour of California. If you attend a start of any stage, be sure to walk by the team buses and check out the bikes lined up securely outside.

Getting the bikes ready. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
Of particular interest to the amateur cyclist's price point (depending on the build) would be the bikes of Team Katusha, Team Giant-Alpecin, Novo-Nordisk, Holowesko-Citadel, Direct Energie, Trek-Segafredo and Rally. If you have no budget (or just want to drool over extravagant bikes) check out the bikes of Team SKY, Tinkoff, BMC, Etixx-Quickstep, United Healthcare, Axeon Hagens Berman, Dimension Data or the magnificent Team Wiggins team bike.

Guess whose bike this is? You will see it at the Tour of California in May. Peter Sagan's bikes. A very colorful Specialized Venge. Photo via tinkoffteam.com

Eighteen men's teams will compete in the 2016 Amgen Tour of California. These are the team jerseys and bikes, listed by: team website, country, jerseys, bikes and some of the equipment used on the bikes. Each team has a large group of equipment, goods and service suppliers (including cars!) which can be found on their team websites. Read more about the WorldTour sponsors: Pro Team Sponsors – What Do They Do? By Inner Ring (descriptions of the products sponsors make).

MEN'S TEAMS

UCI WorldTour Teams

BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes

BMC team equipment on the bike: BMC, Shimano, fi’zi:k, SRM, Continental.

BMC team BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura Ace Di2
BMC team BMC Teammachine SLR01 Dura Ace Di2. Photo via bmc-switzerland.com

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes

Cannondale team equipment on the bike: Cannondale, Shimano, Mavic, Garmin, FSA, Rock Tape, fi’zi:k.

Cannondale team Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-MOD
Cannondale team Cannondale SuperSix Evo Hi-MOD. Photo via www.cannondale.com
Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes

Dimension Data team equipment on the bike: Cervelo, Roto Uno / Shimano, ENVE, Continental, fi’zi:k, Speedplay, Rotor, Lizard Skins.

Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes

Etixx-Quickstep team equipment on the bike: Specialized, Shimano, HED, Rovel, FSA.

Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes

Giant-Alpecin team equipment on the bike: Giant Liv, Shimano, Vittoria, Pro, Pioneer, Polar.

Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes

Katusha team equipment on the bike: Canyon, SRAM, Zipp, Quarq. Katusha swapped from Shimano to SRAM this year, and from Mavic to Zipp wheels this years, they also ride Canyon bikes, all products continuing to grow in tremendous popularity in the United States among amateur cyclists.

LottoNL- Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes

LottoNL-Jumbo team equipment on the bike: Bianche bikes, Shimano, FSA, Selle San Marco, Vittoria.

Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes

SKY team equipment on the bike: Pinarello, Shimano, PRO, Stages, fi’zi:k.

SKY team Pinarello Dogma F8
SKY team Pinarello Dogma F8. Photo via pinarello.com
Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes

Tinkoff team equipment on the bike: Specialized, Shimano, FSA, Roval, HED, Look, Prologo, SRM.

Trek - Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes

Trek-Segafredo team equipment on the bike: Trek, Shimano, Bontrager, SRM

Trek-Segafredo team Trek Madone
Trek-Segafredo team Trek Madone. Photo via treksegafredo.com
UCI Professional Continental Teams

Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes

Direct Énergie team equipment on the bike: BH bikes, Sigma, Shimano, FSA, Vision, Prologo, Hutchinson, Look.

Novo Nordisk (USA) - Orbea bikes

Novo Nordisk team equipment on the bike: Colnago, Maxxis, Selle Italia, Stages, Pioneer. Catlike helmets.

UnitedHealthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes

United Healthcare team equipment on the bike: Wilier, Shimano, Maxxis, Pioneer, Deda, San Marco, Rocktape.

United Healthcare team Wilier Trestina
United Healthcare team Wilier Trestina
UCI Continental Teams

Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes
The Directeur Sportif for the team is Jonkheer ("The Honourable") Axel Merckx, son of Eddy Merckx who has been made a baron in Belgium.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team equipment on the bike: Specialized, SRAM, Quarq, Zipp, Speedplay.

Axeon-Hagens Berman team Specialized Tarmac
Axeon-Hagens Berman team Specialized Tarmac.  Photo via 2016.axeoncycling.com
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - felt bikes

Holowesko - Citadel team equipment on the bike: Felt, Shimano, Mavic, Michelin, Pro, Prologo.

Holowesko - Citadel team Felt bikes
Holowesko - Citadel team Felt bikes. Photo via twitter.com/TeamHincapie/
Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes

Jelly Belly-Maxxis team equipment on the bike: Argon, Maxxis, FSA, Prologo, Speedplay, Tocktape, Cateye and Jelly Beans.

Jelly Belly-Maxxis Argon 18
Jelly Belly-Maxxis Argon 18.  Photo via @JellyBellyTeam
Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes

Rally Cycling team equipment on the bike: Diamond Back, SRAM, Mavic, HED, Kenda, Speedplay.

Team Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes (Wikipedia)

Team Wiggins team equipment on the bike: Pinarello, SRAM, Zipp, fi’zi:k

Oh, and wait until you see the team cars and buses at Tour of California!

One of my favorite sponsor combos:
UCI WorldTour
BMC Racing Team (USA) - BMC bikes, Shimano
Cannondale Pro Cycling Team (USA) - Cannondale bikes, Shimano
Dimension Data (South Africa) - Cervélo bikes, Roto Uno / Shimano
Etixx – Quick-Step (Belgium) - Specialized bikes, Shimano
Giant – Alpecin (Germany) - Giant bikes, Shimano
Katusha (Russia) - Canyon bikes, SRAM
LottoNL – Jumbo (Netherlands) - Bianche bikes, Shimano
Sky (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, Shimano
Tinkoff (Russia) - Specialized bikes, Shimano
Trek – Segafredo (USA) - Trek bikes, Shimano

UCI Professional Continental
Direct Énergie (France) - BH bikes, Shimano / FSA
Novo Nordisk (USA) - Colnago bikes
UnitedHealthcare (USA) - Wilier bikes, Shimano

UCI Continental
Axeon Hagens Berman (USA) - Specialized bikes, SRAM
Holowesko – Citadel Racing Team (USA) - Felt bikes, Shimano
Jelly Belly – Maxxis (USA) - Argon bikes
Rally Cycling (USA) - Diamond Back bikes, SRAM
Team Wiggins (Great Britain) - Pinarello bikes, SRAM 

Bikes lined up before the stage at ATOC in 2015. ©Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer Photography®
More Pedal Dancer® race coverage 2016:
Coming soon: Startlist and bib number Amgen Tour of California 2016;  National and World Championship jerseys at the Tour of California; and stories from the race.