Quotes from Kick-Off Press Conference

Although I wasn't able to attend the Kick-Off press conference [to discuss the state fo professional cycling] yesterday, we have some quotes from some of the top riders and organizers and staff of the Amgen Tour of California collected by Erin Barrier.

I'll be down in Palos Alto for the start, for some possible live updates. But if that doesn't work out, you always watch it on Versus.

Andrew Messick, President, AEG Sports
On the 2008 race: “We are so happy and excited to be in Palo Alto on the eve of the third Amgen Tour of California. We are looking forward to 1 p.m. tomorrow, when all the anticipation is over and the guys can start riding. We believe this is the best course we’ve had; there is a good chance that the overall winner won’t be determined until the last day of the race. We have the best riders in the world, including World Champions, Olympic medalists and several riders who have worn the Yellow Jersey at the Tour de France. We have representation from the best international and North American cycling teams. Also this year, for the first time ever, we are including the Women’s Criterium, which will take place on Monday in Santa Rosa on a part of the actual race course.”

On the anti-doping policy: “First and foremost, we are delighted with all of the support we’ve gotten for the initiatives we have implemented in order for this to be a clean and fair race. We want to thank all the teams and riders for helping us manage these new protocols. There is a process by which all riders end up on the team rosters, and every team participating in this year’s race agreed to our new anti-doping protocols.”

Levi Leipheimer (USA), Defending Champion Astana
On the 2008 race: “I think the Mt. Hamilton and Angeles Crest climbs are great new additions to the Amgen Tour of California; I look forward to those. I think I have the advantage because Stage 1 and Stage 2 go through my hometown. This race has always been an important goal of mine, no matter what else is going on in the racing calendar.”

On his 2007 stage win in Santa Rosa: “I owe a lot of great memories to the Amgen Tour of California. It was a very overwhelming experience to lead the race into my hometown of Santa Rosa last year. It was very emotional; I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew my friends and family would be there but what I saw was unbelievable. It was like riding into the Champs-Élysées – it was packed. When I got on the awards stage in Santa Rosa last year, I was at a loss for words. I will never forget that.”

On the anti-doping policy: “The teams, all 17 teams, are the ones who agreed to the new protocols. I think it’s time for the teams to work with the organizers to follow the rules. It is what the teams and the riders agreed to, so I’m behind it.”

David Millar (GBR) Slipstream Chipotle Powered by H30
On the 2008 race: “The competition here is at the same level as that of the Tour de France – it’s the best competition in the world. The Prologue is going to be a good gauge of competition – I’m actually a bit nervous. We are seeing a new wave of professional cycling, and I think the state of California should be proud that this new wave will start here. This is the first big race of the year. This race means a lot to us; we put this race up there as one of our biggest objectives.”

On the anti-doping policy: “The initiatives that AEG have taken are really the future of the sport. It is all about taking responsibility and I think this is the way it should be.”

Fred Rodriguez (USA) Rock Racing
On the 2008 race: “I’ve always enjoyed racing in the U.S., especially in California where I grew up. The more competition, the better for us – it opens the playing field. We have a great team, including some top sprinters, so I think we are really going to do our best this year. For us, we are really excited to come here; we’ve been working really hard. The guys are motivated, we are having fun and we’re stepping it up to another level.”

Jens Voigt (GER) Team CSC
On his team: “Every year we try to perform our best; we really try to go for it. We’re always trying to take the next step to reach the highest spot on podium.”

On the 2008 race: The Amgen Tour of California is a great race; a great race to start the season. It has a lot of big, wide roads and lots of spectators.”

George Hincapie (USA) High Road
On his team: Our team is great; we have some of the best young talent in the world. It’s a great mix of guys.”

On the competition: I have a lot of friends in this room; we are all professionals. We are going to try to win as much as we can and it’s going to be a battle, but in the end, we’ll still be friends.”

Phil Liggett, VERSUS Announcer
On the 2008 race: “This race has grown into an enviable organization. The field of riders for this year’s race is the best so far. The Prologue is as good of a start as the start in London during the Tour de France. It is going to be one great competition this year.”

On the state of professional cycling: “There is a lot to prove this year for the world of cycling; we want to prove a point. At the moment, what we need is a clean race here, and an ongoing clean sport. Then, the sport can return to the greatness that it has always been.”

Sean Petty, Chief Operating Officer, USA Cycling
On the 2008 race: “This race has been world-class, first-class, since day one and it’s only getting better, which is hard to believe. Looking at the field, there are some excellent riders. We’ve had some great fields compete here in the U.S. in the past, but to see this type of talent these days is phenomenal. It’s a tremendous compliment to all the partners involved.”

On the anti-doping policy: “AEG and Amgen are to be applauded for the initiatives they’ve taken this year to have a stronger anti-doping protocol; it’s not pretty but it’s necessary. When you’re serous about it, this is what it looks like. I applaud the riders for making the sacrifices to support these programs. They have done it willingly because it is the right thing and the best thing for this sport. They are sending the right message at the right time. It is because the best of the best in this sport have agreed to these new protocols that we are able to do what we’re doing.”

Jim Birrell, Race Director, Amgen Tour of California
On the 2008 race: “The nice thing about life is that you learn something new every day. For the 2008 course, we listened to our critics. Although we haven’t yet achieved a mountain-top finish, we achieved a course that will allow us to see a dynamic race unfold each day. The top General Classification will be really tight going into Stage 1. You can expect to see very competitive racing, one that creates excitement for the riders. In an effort to see the Amgen Leader Jersey change on the last day, we removed the circuit finish.”

Bob Stapleton, Owner, Team High Road
On the 2008 race: “We have a great roster, top athletes, and the Amgen Tour of California delivers a great stage on which to perform. We have unlimited potential. We have a lot of new athletes on our team and hopefully we’ll get a chance to put on a great show. This race could become a signature cycling event among the top races in the world; it has that potential. The Amgen Tour of California is great for the sport of cycling in the U.S. and great for the sport overall. You could do anything with this event. This sport has a bright future, but it needs a dramatic event like this to make it happen.”

Rory Sutherland (AUS) HealthNet Presented by Maxxis
On the 2008 race: “If the Prologue of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California is anything like last year, Sunday is going to be an absolutely great day. The competition is at such a high level that it will be a bit daunting, but I’m excited to be here.”

Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC
On the 2008 race: “Here we are on the eve of the biggest race in America and we are excited to get started. This is a huge race and tomorrow, it’s on. I feel motivated and fresh – the whole team is ready.”

Oscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank
On the 2008 race: “My decision to race in the Amgen Tour of California is easy because everyone speaks so highly about it. We are in the beginning of the season, the weather is good and this is a good start to the season. I think that we have a good team; we have good, young riders. California is nice.”

Phyllis Piano, Vice President of Corporate Communication, Philanthropy, Amgen
On the 2008 race: “We are delighted to be here and honored to be here with these athletes – they are inspiriting. One of the things we are most proud of is the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, which benefits the Wellness Community and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.”