The riders they have targeted for the race are Heath Blackgrove (NZL), Ben Day (AUS), Ivan Dominguez (CUB), Hilton Clarke (AUS), Jonny Clarke (AUS), Caleb Manion (AUS), Dominique Rollin (CAN), Henk Vogels (AUS), and Jose Manuel (Chepe) Garcia (MEX), out of these nine they will choose the final 8. All of these have raced over
the past 4-6 weeks mainly in Australia and New Zealand with Blackgrove,
Day and Jonny Clarke recently sweeping the podium at the Boulevard road race in San
Diego. A group of 5 Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team members
are currently racing in the Tour of Monterrey in Mexico
February 4th -10th.
This team includes last years ATOC stage 7 winner, Ivan Dominguez (CUB). Toyota-United
Pro Cycling Team brought home the final stage win last years ATOC as Ivan Dominguez, the “Cuban Missle” shocked
the world with his strong finish. Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team has the more
Stage Wins in the large 3 domestic tours with (7) over the last two years than any other team.
The success should be noted based on the facts that Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is entering its 3rd season
together and the riders have gelled strongly with fantastic leadership from existing riders carrying over to the new riders
on the 08 squad.
Henk Vogels said at the final training camp dinner, “These
guys are the best I have ever worked with. It is a true brotherhood and I want to fight for this team in 2008, like I never
have in the past. “ The team is primed after two solid weeks of training in Solvang,
CA. The weather finished beautifully for the team as they put on the mileage
in the beautiful Central Coast
Valley. Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is ready to take on the best that
2008 has to offer.
Australian rider Jonny Clarke will publish a riders diary at
cyclingheroes.info during the Tour of California.
