MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies announced they will accept an invitation to the 2012 Amgen Tour of California. The team will go head to head against 15 of the world's best domestic and international teams, with racers representing over 20 countries.
The tour will begin in Santa Rosa on May 13th before traveling over 750 miles over eight days, over some of California's most difficult terrain. This year's race features new host towns Sonora and Ontario and a return to the notorious Bakersfield time trial course before completing on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The race is considered one of the toughest in America, if not the world, and the team is well prepared for the challenge.
"The Tour of California has always been one of our biggest goals as a team, and this year's course is a challenge we are prepared for," said Performance Director Jonas Carney. "It is a record breaking amount of climbing for the event, and we have an expanded group of riders in 2012, with veterans who are coming back strong from injuries last season. We are honored and motivated to race in the event."
Newly minted Performance Manager and three-time Olympian Eric Wohlberg directed the team through a three-day block of course recon, staggered with stage racing along the West Coast.
"The team made a big investment towards our performance at the Tour of California last week," said Wohlberg. "The Sonora stage is incredible and could shake the whole race up. The guys really liked what they saw. We feel good about our chances on these days now that we are familiar with the routes."
The team also conducted time trial recon on the Bakersfield TT course, with consultation from HED aerodynamic engineer Dino Edin. TT specialists Scott Zwizanski and Tom Zirbel were in attendance, and are hopeful to make fireworks on the tough San Joaquin Valley route.
Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies will continue a team tradition in 2012, fielding the only "all-North American" roster of athletes among the 16 teams.
Optum is an information and technology-enabled health services company serving the broad health care marketplace, including care providers, plan sponsors, life sciences companies and consumers. Its business units- OptumInsight, OptumHealth and OptumRx - employ nearly than 35,000 people worldwide. Visit www.optum.com for more information.
Kelly Benefit Strategies is a group of insurance brokers and consultants that specialize in healthcare, and is a division of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, Inc., headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. KBS serves thousands of employers ranging in size from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies and is committed to bringing its customers affordable group benefits through innovative benefit design, management, and administration. Visit www.kellybenefitstrategies.com for more information.
Minneapolis-based Circuit Global Sports Management facilitates strategic alliances between corporate partners and professional cycling initiatives. Previous high-profile clients include Cadillac, Red Bull, Panasonic, DKNY, Dollar Rent a Car, Jeep, Timberland, and the State of Minnesota. More information about Circuit Global Sports Management can be found at www.circuitsport.com