Aussies in the Tour of California

Fifteen Australian's are lining up for the 2010 Tour of California, Philip Gomes takes a snapshot of their chances in the American race.

In terms of Australian participation The Tour of California goes one better that the record number seen in the 2010 Giro d'Italia with 15 riders from Down Under lining up for the May 16th event.

While one rider stands out as a solid pre-race favourite, a few others will be in the hunt for stage wins.

For the rest, their well know capabilities as strong support men for team leaders will see them quietly plying their trade away from the limelight of a podium place.

Interestingly Australia is represented in the ToC by one team, Fly V Australia, making up a third of that number - I'll deal with them as a separate collective entity.

Michael Rogers and Mark Renshaw (Team HTC-Columbia)

A strong pre-race favourite, Rogers has been in serious form for the entire season with a win in the Vuelta a Andalucia. As the clear General Classification leader for HTC-Columbia the Australian can expect full support in the mountains and will be expected to perform to his already high standards in the time-trial. He will be difficult to beat.

Mark Renshaw will again be performing his loyal duties as leadout man for the the best sprinter in pro cycling, Mark Cavendish, look for him to be at the front of the peloton in the last 500 metres.

Matthew Wilson (Team Garmin-Transitions).

Wilson is back in the Euro peloton with Garmin but with his long experience racing in the US with Team Type 1 it's no surprise to see this climbing specialist racing in California instead of the Giro d'Italia. Looking at Garmin's roster, with no clear team leader for the general classification, Wilson is likely to have a free hand to pursue his ambitions when the road starts trending upwards.

Stuart O'Grady (Team Saxo Bank)

The veteran O'Grady will again be bringing his leadership skills to an amazingly strong Saxo Bank squad. He will be expected to perform a mix of tasks for both Andy Schleck and Fabian Cancellara. Look for O'Grady at the front driving the peloton in the mountains and on the sprints.

Heinrich Haussler and Brett Lancaster (Cervelo TestTeam).

Returning from an injury that spoiled his classics chances, Haussler's form is unknown after his long break, and he is using the ToC as a way to build his form, however this Australian who races under a German licence could surprise when the racing gets hard. Given a lifeline with Cervelo and with his road career back on track after a year in the wilderness, Lancaster can be expected to put his formidable time trialling skills to work for Cervelo's nominated sprinter Theo Bos.

William Dicknson (Team Jelly Belly Presented by Kenda)

This 27 year old from South Australia is an all rounder and is expected to perform a domestiques role for his Jelly Belly team.

Karl Menzies and Rory Sutherland (Team UnitedHealthcare Presented by Maxxis ).

Stalwarts on the American racing circuit Menzies and Sutherland are two solid all rounder who know California well. Of the two Sutherland can be expected to challenge the powerful international squads for a stage win at some point.

Team Fly V Australia.

Team Fly V Australia heads into the Tour of California as the top team on the American National Racing Calender with more than 30 wins under their belts in 2010. While containing three strong internationals in Phil Zajicek (USA), Jay Robert Thomson (RSA) and Charles Dionne (CAN) it is the Australians that will be looking to make their mark in the race.

Team sprinter Jonathan Cantwell will be expected to be in the mix on the flat stage stages while Ben Day, who finished 8th overall in 2009, will be looking to record another top ten place. Day and Cantwell will be ably supported by three other Australians, Jai Crawford, Aaron Kemps and Bernard Sulzberger.