Premier cycling event returns for another year

Three top professional road cycling teams will compete in the 2007 Amgen Tour of California Feb. 18 through 25, according to Shawn Hunter, president of AEG Sports, promoter and operator of the 650-mile, eight-stage cycling race modeled after the Tour de France.

The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, Team CSC and Predictor-Lotto are the first of the expected 16 professional cycling teams to be announced for the second annual race. More than 1.3 million spectators attended last year's race.

"We are excited to welcome many of the best teams in cycling back to California to compete on another world-class course," said Hunter.