This weekend the peloton moves across the ocean for the 10th edition of the Amgen Tour of California. Team Giant-Alpecin will be looking for another top-10 result in the general classification at “America’s Greatest Race” as Lawson Craddock (USA) took third place in 2014.  

Team Giant-Alpecin heads to the United States with a mixed team of climbers and riders who are good on the flat. Craddock will lead the team together with Warren Barguil (FRA), who is continuing his season after finishing the Ardennes campaign. Carter Jones (USA) will test his climbing legs in the two mountain stages. 

The team is also bringing Koen de Kort (NED) and Zico Waeytens (BEL) to California. Both riders have the spring classics behind them and will go for good stage results during the flat stages. The lineup is completed by Roy Curvers (NED) and Thierry Hupond (FRA).

“California is a special race with hot conditions and not too many difficult stages, so it will be an ideal race for our guys to look for good stage results. For others, like Lawson and Carter, it will be an ideal opportunity to show their qualities as we aim for a top-10 result in the GC again. 

“For the flatter stages we will bring Koen de Kort (NED) and Zico Waeytens (BEL), who will aim for a good result in a reduced bunch sprint,” said coach Aike Visbeek.

The teams sprinter Marcel Kittel (GER), who initially was announced for the Tour of California, will not participate. In consultation with the performance staff and Kittel himself, the team decided to follow a different program in building up to his upcoming season goals. An alternative racing program will be determined by the team. Kittel said, "After the Tour de Yorkshire we decided to take some more time for training, as I am not yet back to the race fitness needed for such a big and prestigious race as the Tour of California, and I will focus on training and working toward the next goals this season."

LINE-UP
Warren Barguil (FRA)
Lawson Craddock (USA)
Roy Curvers (NED)
Thierry Hupond (FRA)
Carter Jones (USA)
Koen de Kort (NED)
Zico Waeytens (BEL)