Amgen Tour of California announces pro teams

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The Amgen Tour of California today announced eight pro teams that are confirmed for the Feb. 14-22 cycling race.

Among them is Lance Armstrong’s Astana team, which also features 2008 defending California champion Levi Leipheimer.

Also sending teams are: U.S.-based Garmin-Slipstream and Columbia High Road; Ag2r-La Mondiale from France; Liquigas of Italy; Quick Step of Belgium; Rabobank of the Netherlands; and Team Saxo Bank of Denmark.

Notable in its absence is Rock Racing, the team controversially run by denim clothing magnate Michael Ball, who signed several racers to his team last year who had cloudy doping-related issues in their past including disgraced U.S. Olympian Tyler Hamilton.

It has been reported Rock Racing’s future is in doubt.

-- Diane Pucin