7 riders to watch in the Tour of California

Cyclists start the Tour of California in Long Beach. Photo/Ashton Lyle

By James Raia, Sacramento Bee

Climbers, sprinters, all-arounders, Olympic medalists, Tour de France stage winners, world titlists, new pros and peloton veterans.

The 17 men’s teams and 15 women’s squads in the 13th annual Amgen Tour of California are as diverse as the fields in any pro bike race.

The women and men will be in South Lake Tahoe on Friday.