Looking at the numbers, one immediately understands how important the Tour of California is for Peter Sagan (Cannondale).

Two wins at the debut in 2010, one in 2011 and five (of eight stages) in 2012. This incredible tally makes Sagan an easy choice as leader of Cannondale team for the 2013 edition of Tour of California.

To support Sagan and the team's ambitions, Directeur Sportifs Mario Scirea and Biagio Conte have assembled riders who have already supported the Slovak champion in the beginning of the season and during the Classics: Maciej Bodnar, Mauro Da Dalto, Lucas Haedo, Ted King, Kristijan Koren and Brian Vandborg. Canadian Guillaume Boivin will be the eighth rider and will substitute Damiano Caruso, who was called to the Giro d'Italia after Ivan Basso's withdrawal.

"Our target is to collect stages," explained Scirea. "And alongside a leader like Peter Sagan we chose the riders able to do the best supporting job. Peter returns to racing after a heavy spring and in California he will start the road to the Tour de France. For us, the "ToC" is an important race and we want to honour it in the best way. The 2013 edition looks harder than other years but the essence of our race won't change. We're here to win."