Four teams will represent SRAM’s road technologies at the Amgen Tour of California, which starts this weekend (Feb. 14) in Sacramento, CA, with the three mile Prologue. All SRAM teams will race SRAM RED, which remains the World’s lightest, most efficient, and delivers the "highest performance per dollar" versus any competitive gruppos, according to VeloNews® magazine.

SRAM starters include heavy hitters Astana, returning favorite and two-time champion Levi Leipheimer. Lance Armstrong will take the line, expectedly to support Leipheimer, along with stalwarts Rubiera, Horner, Brajkovic, Schar, Morabito, and Popovych. Look for Levi and Team Astana to take advantage of their lightweight RED (1928 grams) gruppos on the brutal climbing stages four, seven, and eight.

An underdog but certainly not to be ignored is the new Team OUCH. Inaugural California winner (2006) Floyd Landis is motivated and, according to teammates, planning on winning. Floyd will ride SRAM RED along with teammates Rory Sutherland, Tim Johnson, Cameron Evans, Brad White, Patrick McCarty, Karl Menzies, and John Murphy.

Fan favorite and newly SRAM-equipped Jelly Belly will also take the start. The colorful group of riders will try and factor in the team competition and take a stage or two when the opportunity arises. Riders include sprinter Brad Huff, along with Bernie Van Ulden, Kiel Reinjnen, Phil Gaimon, Will Routley, Matthew Crane, Nick Reistad, and Jeremy Powers.

Newly formed Fly V p/b Successful Living Foundation will bring SRAM RED along with riders Ben Day, Bernard Sulzberger, Phil Zajicek, Michael Grabinger, Scott Davis, David Kemp, Jonathon Cantwell, and Charles Dionne.

The time trial stages will be critical, and with at least three of the favorites squaring off, pay attention to the time trial shifter choices. Lance Armstrong will ride SRAM's new 1090 R2C (return to center) shifter, which was successfully launched at Ironman World Championships and maintains a perfect aero postion through every shift. Levi Leipheimer and Floyd Landis will ride SRAM’s all carbon 900 aero shift levers, the lightest shifter available.

After last years win and two succesful Grand Tour victories SRAM is excited about starting 2009 out with a bang. Best of luck to Levi, Lance, Floyd, and every single rider who has made the Leap at this years Amgen Tour of California.