Countdown to Amgen: Meet the cyclists

Fourteen international and national women's cycling teams were introduced to the public Thursday night during AMGEN opening night festivities in South Lake Tahoe. The field of racers includes Olympic champions as well as World and National champions.

"How exciting to come to America," said team Xirayas De San Luis from Argentina. "We are very happy to be here."

Legendary cycling commentators Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett introduced the cyclists in front of a crowd of almost 200 people at the Riva Grill in South Lake Tahoe. Prior to the introductions, opening remarks were given by LTVA Executive Director Carol Chaplin, LTVA Chairman Patrick Ronan, Kristin Bachochin Kline, Executive Director of The Amgen Tour of California and VP of AEG Sports, Alex Wasserman, Director of Road Sports Marketing, SRMA, and legendary cyclist Inga Thompson.

"This is super exciting and this race can compare to anything in Europe," said team spokeswoman Amanda Miller of Pepper Palace Pro Cycling. "We just arrived and haven't seen much of the course yet, so we'll find out tomorrow!"

As the women were introduced they all spoke of how they are looking forward to cycling the two stages of the Amgen Tour of California Friday and Saturday in Lake Tahoe.

Dame Sarah Storey of the Pearl Izumi team is a multiple gold medal winner at the Paralympic Games in both swimming and cycling and is the three time British national track champion. "I was in Lake Tahoe on holiday in 2006 and thought this would be a great place to ride," Storey said. "This is a dream come true."

"This is so exciting," El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel told South Tahoe Now. "I am so proud of our community that we can hold such an international event like this. It really showcases our community."

As it snowed outside, three time British National Champion Hannah Barnes summed it up. "We're here to race!"

Here is a list of the 14 teams:
Itau Shimano Ladies Power Team
Colavita Fine Cooking-Bianchi
Pepper Palace Pro Cycling, P/B The Happy Tooth
Xirayas De San Luis
BMW P/B Happy Tooth Dental
Canada National Team
Pearl Izumi - Sports Tours International
Team Tibco - SVB
Mexico National Team
Twenty 16 P/B Sho-Air
Ale Cipollini
United Healthcare Professional Cycling Team
Optum P/B Kelly Benefit Strategies
Velocio- SRAM

Stage 1 begins and ends at Heavenly Mountain Resort on Friday, May 7 at 11:00 a.m. Stage 2 also begins and ends at Heavenly Mountain Resort. Start time is 10:30 a.m.