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Cycling fans are already buzzing about the 2009 Tour of California, set to kick off in just more than two weeks. However, an insider's guide to last year's race is still turning heads.
The Tour of California has become known in the sports world as America's largest cycling event, challenging top professional cycling teams to compete each year. According to the tour's Web site, www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, this year's event – slated for Saturday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 22 – will take cyclists from Sacramento to Escondido – an expanded 750-mile trek.
Although excitement continues to build each day this year's event draws nearer, fans who missed last year's race – and especially those who simply want to relive the rush – are catching behind-the-scenes footage from the comfort of their own computers.
Video from all 12 cities, nine stages, 18 teams and 650 miles of last year's Tour of California are available via nine webisodes and one highlight reel at http://www.mondeproductions.com/flash/index.html
Among the footage, which producer Monde Productions describes as “sports entertainment meets reality television,” is interviews with riders and event leaders, a peek at the unique cycling technology and thrilling, in-your-face visuals from the race.
Host Kevin W. Smith, a longtime amateur rider on teams stateside and abroad, said the project gave viewers all over the world an opportunity to be “both rider and team director on the tour.”
