Ted King and Timothy Duggan are riding for the Italian Liquigas-Cannondale squad and are both happy to represent the squad on home soil. The Americans race the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which starts tomorrow with a prologue in Colorado Springs.
For Duggan it is a real home race, as he was born in Colorado. "I am really excited that a world class stage race is coming to my backyard," says Duggan. "I can show my friends and family my team and what I do. In Europe, many riders have races in their home regions quite often, so its a great opportunity that this happens for me here in Colorado."
It puts some extra motivation in his legs. "I would love to obtain a top overall result to improve on my form in Utah, and also help our sprinters Oss and Viviani on a few stages that really suit them for the win."
But the captain stays the same. "I am looking forward to helping Ivan Basso use his good form from the Tour de France to get a great result as well." Duggan would not mind to achieve all of the goals. "At the end of the race, I'll be happy if Liquigas-Cannondale wins a stage, we have someone in the first places in overall classification, and we put on an exciting race for my fans in my home region!"
His teammate Ted King reiterates the team's ambitions. "The main goals for the race are to be aggressive and aim for a stage win. As a US-based team in Europe, racing on home soil is an opportunity that does not arrive often."
King made the line-up just in time. "The timing of my comeback now from a broken collarbone is actually fairly perfect; I spent a good portion of July at altitude - based in Aspen reconning the stages for the USA Pro Challenge." He had a good combination of training and racing to get ready. "The training was excellent, but I was still missing some snap from being out of the races themselves, therefore the Tour of Utah in early August was the perfect supplement before Colorado."
King hopes for a good race and show his Liquigas-Cannondale colors at the front of the race as often as he can. "I want to be on the attack and always in the business at the end of the race. Again, as Americans based in Europe it's often tough to bid farewell to family and friends and go race across the pond for three to six months at a time."
He savours the chance to race at home. "So this opportunity to have such a monumental race in America, in cycling-centric Colorado no less, moreover Colorado being Timmy's home state, this all converges to be something big." King also welcomes some long time fans along the road. "Additionally, my parents will be coming to the race which marks the first big race they have seen me compete in. After my father's stroke eight years ago, travel has been difficult for them. So to see them cheering me on through the week will only add to the emotions."
For his parents alone he would love to achieve something big. "I will be exceptionally happy to take a stage win. Also I will be pleased if Liquigas-Cannondale ends up on the podium - ideally the top step - by the time we arrive to Denver on Sunday. I know we have an extremely capable team and a very motivated team. This will really be a special week of racing for the team."