This just might be the most important race (this season), it’s the home state for the team and home state for the title sponsor.

It’s a more intricate sport than perhaps people perceive. Most people think you get on your bikes and ride. The Tour de France coverage has kind of explained that it’s a lot more than that....

It’s a marketing investment – they are trying to gain a wider exposure for their brand and their company.

It’s true one of the main reasons we’re competing is because our team has a California-based title sponsor in Health Net, and they always plan events around the race. The team also wants to defend...