With 15 teams of eight riders each flying across the roads of Missouri, you’ll want to know which team is in the break, hammering the chase or spit out the back of the field. Here’s the team-by-team info you need to know to follow the peloton in the Tour of Missouri. (An asterisk notes previous Tour of Missouri winner):

TOUR OF MISSOURI LINKS
http://www.stltoday.com/othersports
http://www.tourofmissouri.com/

Paul Sherwin tweets

Tour of Missouri-related tweets

TOUR OF MISSOURI TEAM INFORMATION

ASTANA CYCLING TEAM
Sponsor: Kazakhstan
Team headquarters: Luxemburg/ Spain
About the team: As demonstrated by the team’s dominated this year’s Tour de France, Astana can contest any major Tour. This year’s Tour of Missouri is expected to be Levi Leipheimer’s first race back from injury after fracturing his wrist at the Tour de France.

Team roster:

21 LEIPHEIMER Levi (USA)
22 BRAJKOVIC Janez (SLO)
23 DYACHENKO Alexandr (KAZ)
24 MORABITO Steve (SUI )
25 POPOVYCH Yaroslav (UKR)
26 RAST Gregory (SUI)
27 VAITKUS Tomas (LTU)
28 ZEITS Andrey (KAZ)

Team colors: light blue, with white, navy and canary yellow stripes
Team bikes:
Road: Trek (USA) Madone 6.9 Pro carbon in white, light blue and navy team colors; SRAM Red gruppo
Time trial: Trek (USA) Equinox TTX 9.9 SSL carbon in white light blue and navy team colors.
On the web: http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/index2.html
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/TeamAstana

TEAM COLUMBIA-HTC
Sponsor: Sportswear and Telecommunications Company
Team headquarters: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Team Columbia-HTC is lead by 24-year-old Mark Cavendish of Britain, winner of three stages of last year’s Tour of Missouri. Also leading Team Columbia-HTC will be 2007 Tour of Missouri Champion George Hincapie (coming off a broken collarbone sustained at the Tour de France). The team won four of seven stages last year and its status as the UCI’s world number one team is testament to its versatility.

Team roster:

11 HINCAPIE George* (2007, USA)
12 CAVENDISH Mark (GBR)
13 ROGERS Michael (AUS)
14 BARRY Michael (CAN)
15 EISEL Bernhard (AUT)
16 LEWIS Craig (USA)
17 PINOTTI Marco (ITA)
18 SIUTSOU Kanstantsin (BLR)
Team colors: white with gold, black and green accents
Team bikes:
Road: Scott Addict R1 carbon in black and white (front to back) with gold accents; Shimano Dura-Ace and Electric Dura-Ace gruppos
Time Trial: Plasma LTD carbon in black and white
On the web: http://www.highroadsports.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/TeamColumbiaHTC

TEAM GARMIN-SLIPSTREAM
Sponsor: Navigational systems company and cycling management company
Team headquarters: Boulder, Colo.
About the team: Last year, the “Argyle Army’s” American Christian Vande Velde surprised everyone, including himself, with a top-four overall finish in the Tour de France. Garmin-Slipstream have many talented TT specialists. Sport director Jonathan Vaughters said he’s at Tour of Missouri to “win it all.”

Team roster:
1 VANDE VELDE Christian* (2008, USA)
2 ZABRISKIE David (USA)
3 COZZA Steven (USA)
4 DONALD Jason (USA
5 DUGGAN Timothy (USA)
6 FRIEDMAN Michael (USA)
7 FRISCHKORN William (USA)
8 PATE Danny (USA)

Team colors: argyle-pattern light blue, orange and royal blue with white accents.
Team bikes:
Road: Felt F1 carbon and AR Team Issue carbon in black with blue and white argyle pattern and orange accents; Shimano Dura-Ace gruppo
Time trial: Felt DA carbon in black with blue and white argyle pattern and orange accents
On the web: http://www.slipstreamsports.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/TeamSlipstream

TEAM LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE
Sponsor: Natural Gas
Team headquarters: Italy
About the team: Czech rider Roman Kreuziger, a Tour de France standout and Best Young Rider in the 2008 Tour of Missouri returns to make noise this year. Italian Vicenzo Nibali is a raising star and top 15 finisher at this year’s Tour de France. Other riders include sprinters Daniele Bennati or Francesco Chicchi, winner of the Tour of Missouri’s last stage in 2008.

Team roster:
41 PELLIZOTTI Franco (ITA)
42 AGNOLI Valerio (ITA)
43 CHICCHI Francesco (ITA)
44 OSS Daniel (ITA)
45 VANDBORG Brian (DEN)
46 VANOTTI Allesandro (ITA)

Team colors: Mint green with royal blue and white accents
Team bikes:
Road: Cannondale (USA) SuperSix Hi-mod Team carbon in white with mint green and blue accents; Campagnolo Record gruppo
Time trial: Cannondale Slice Hi-mod Ultimate carbon in white with mint green
and blue accents
On the web: http://www.teamliquigas.it/2009/eng/main.php
On Twitter: Not available

TEAM SAXO BANK
Sponsor: Danish bank
Team headquarters: Lyngby, Denmark
About the team: The team of Bjarne Riis’ will be bringing tough-as-nails Jens Voight, back after his horrible descending crash at the Tour de France. The Saxo Team has hosted some of the best riders in the last decade and has won stages at all three grand tours. Saxo has been one of the most consistent teams having won the UCI Protour team ranking from 2005 to 2007.

Team roster:

31 SORENSEN Chris Anker (DEN)
32 LARSSON Gustav (SWE)
33 McCARTNEY Jason (USA)
34 VOIGT Jens (GER)
35 HAEDO Juan Jose (ARG)
36 BAK Lars Ytting (DEN)
37 LJUNGQVIST Marcus (SWE)
38 SORENSEN Nicki (DEN)
Team colors: White with blue and black accents
Team bikes:
Road: Specialized SL2 and Tarmac Pro SL carbon in white with black accents; SRAM Red gruppo
Time trial: Specialized S-Works Shiv in black with white logos
On the web: http://www.team-saxobank.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/SaxoBank

BMC RACING
Sponsor: Swiss Bicycle Manufacturer
Team headquarters: Santa Rosa, Calif.
About the team: An unusual blend of American and Swiss personalities and technologies, BMC is one of the great up-and-coming programs in the U.S. American stars include perennial threat Jeff Louder, winner of the 2007 Tour of Missouri’s King of the Mountains competition, and Scott Nydam, who trains with Levi Leipheimer in their hometown of Santa Rosa, California.

Team roster:

71 LOUDER Jeffry (USAU
72 CRUZ Antonio    (USA)
73 FRANK Mathias (SUI)
74 FREI Thomas    (SUI)
75 STALDER Florian (SUI)
76 BOOKWALTER Brent (USA)
77 WYSS Danilo    (SUI)
78 STEWART Jackson (USA)
Team colors: White with black and red vertical stripes
Team bikes:
Road: SLC01 Pro Machine carbon in black with white and red accents (Campagnolo Record gruppo)
Time trial: TTO1 Time Machine carbon in black with white and red accents
On the web: http://www.bmcracingteam.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/bmcproteam

COLAVITA/SUTTER HOME
Sponsor: Olive oil importing company
Team headquarters: Linden, NJ
About the team: One of the strongest teams in North America, Colavita carries a strong contingent of South American fast men. While an overall podium spot is unlikely, the Colavita team looks to get screen time by being active in breakaways and sprint finishes.

Team roster:

121 HAEDO Lucas Sebastian (ARG)
122 WAMSLEY Kyle (USA)
123 GUPTILL Andy (USA)
124 BORRAJO Anibal (ARG)
125 ROMERO AMARAN Luis (CUB)
126 WREN Tyler (USA)
127 FRATTINI Davide (ITA)
128 COLBY Anthony (USA)
Team colors: white with kelly green and dark red stripes
Team bikes:
Road: Jamis Xenith Team carbon in black with red stripes and white decals; Shimano Dura-Ace gruppo
Time trial: Jamis Xenith T2 carbon in white with black fork and triangles
On the web: http://www.teamcolavita.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/proteamcolavita

KELLY BENEFIT STRATEGIES-MEDIFAST
Sponsor: Business-to-business benefit plans
Team headquarters: Minneapolis, Minn.

About the team: Kelly Benefit Strategies has been hot this year, and will be in the hunt for stage wins and looks to animate the race in breakaways.
Team roster:

111 BAJADALI Andrew (USA)
112 ANDERSON Ryan (CAN)
113 BOWMAN Dan (USA)
114 CANDELARIO Alex (USA)
115 MUMFORD Reid (USA)
116 SHIRLEY Neil (USA)
117 VEILLEUX David (CAN)
118 ZWIZANSKI Scott (USA)

Team colors: Kelly and light green with white and gold stripes
Team bikes:
Road: Gary Fisher Cronus carbon in kelly green with yellow and white accents; SRAM Red gruppo
Time Trial: Trek Equinox TTX in black
On the web: http://www.kbsprocycling.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/KBSProCycling

JELLY BELLY
Sponsor: Candy Company
Team headquarters: San Marcos, Calif.
About the team: While Jelly Belly didn’t win a stage last year, Springfield native Brad Huff left an impact and became a YouTube star in 2007 with a spectacular crash in the final 100 meters of the field sprint in St. Louis. Riding for Slipstream, Huff clipped a barrier and catapulted over his bike. Huff will be part of Jelly Belly’s two-pronged sprint strategy alongside Australian Nic Sanderson.

Team roster:

131 VAN ULDEN Bernard (USA)
132 CRANE Matthew (USA)
133 POWERS Jeremy (USA)
134 GAIMON Phillip (USA)
135 HUFF Brad (USA)
136 RICE Matthew (AUS)
137 ROUTLEY Wil (CAN)
138 REIJNEN Kiel (USA)
Team colors: white with red and yellow accents and multi-colored “candy” sleeves
Team bikes:
Road: GT GTR Team Carbon in white with red and multi-colored “candy” accents; Campagnolo Record gruppo
Time trial: A mysterious GT-badged prototype carbon bike in white with red and “candy” accents; SRAM Force gruppo
On the web: http://jellybellycycling.com
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/jellybellyteam

BISSELL PRO CYCLING
Sponsor: Floor care products
Team headquarters: Grand Rapids, Mich.
About the team: An American program rising in prominence, the Michigan-based Bissell team has ridden the wave of victory on the backs of strong riders such as Ben Jacques-Maynes, runner-up in USA Cycling NRC series last year and 6-foot-4 time trialist Tom Zirbel

Team roster:

81 JACQUES‐MAYNES Ben (USA)
82 JACQUES‐MAYNES Andy (USA)
83 ZIRBEL Tom (USA)
84 PIPP Frank (USA)
85 VENNELL Jeremy (NZL)
86 Latham Peter (NZL)
87 KEM Omer (USA)
Team colors: Grey with red sleeves and side panels
Team bikes:
Road: Pinarello Prince in red with white and black stripes; Camagnolo Record gruppo
Time trial: Pinarello FM1 Carbon in black with white and red stripes; Campagnolo Record
On the web: http://www.bissellprocycling.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BissellCycling

CERVELO TEST TEAM
Sponsor: Canadian bicycle manufacturer
Team headquarters: Switzerland

About the team: Team Cervelo is a new team founded this year, and has already seen stage vitories in the 2009 Tour of Qatar, the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, the 2009 Volta a Catalunya, the 2009 Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.
Team roster:

61 HAUSSLER Heinrich    (GER)
62 HUNT Jeremy    (GBR)
63 HUSHOVD Thor (NOR)
64 KING Edward (USA)
65 KLIER Andrea (GER)
66 LANCASTER Brett (AUS)
67 NOVOA MENDEZ Joaquin (ESP)
68 WYSS Marcel (SUI)

Team colors: black with white logos and red sleeve and collar bands
Team bikes:
Road: Cervelo R3 carbon in black with white decals and red stripes; Rotor components
Time trial: Cervelo P4 carbon in black with white decals and red stripes; Rotor components
On the web: http://www.cervelo.com/riders.aspx
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/cervelotestteam

TEAM TYPE 1
Sponsor: Pharmaceutical companies
Team headquarters: Wauwatosa, WI
About the team: Team Type 1 was founded in 2004 by two cyclists who had type 1 diabetes, Phil Southerland and Joe Eldridge. The team won the Race Across America in both 2006 and 2007 in the 8-rider corporate team division. The team then grew to a 15-man roster in which four of the riders have type 1 diabetes.

Team roster:

101 Calabria Fabio (AUS)
102 CREED Michael (USA)
103 KOBZARENKO Valery (UKR)
104 MILNE Shawn (USA)
105 JONES Christopher (USA)
106 WILSON Matthew (AUS)
107 ALDAPE CHAVEZ Moises (MEX)
108 LILL Darren (RSA)
Team colors: Blue and green with white sleeve and side-panel stripes
Team bikes:
Road: Orbea Opal carbon frame in black with white decals; Dura-Ace 7900 gruppo
Time trial: Orbea Ordo in black with white decals; Dura Ace 7900 gruppo
On the web: http://www.teamtype1.org/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/teamtype1

OUCH PRESENTED BY MAXXIS
Sponsor: Specialty sports training medical center
Team headquarters: Oakland, CA
Team OUCH-Maxxis, formally known as Health Net-Maxxis, won five consecutive NRC Overall Team Championships. They also had other 2008 victories such as the 2008 Nature Valley Grand Prix, the 2008 Mt. Hood Cycling Classic, and 2008 Joe Martin Stage Race.

Team roster:

91 LANDIS Floyd (USA)
92 SUTHERLAND Rory (AUS)
93 JOHNSON Timothy (USA)
94 PINFOLD Andrew (USA)
95 BALDWIN Christopher (USA)
96 MENZIES Karl (AUS)
97 MURPHY John (USA)
98 WHITE Brad (USA)

Team colors: Black with orange and red accents and white chest, sleeve and side bands
Team bikes:
Road: Kuota Kredo Ultra in black with red and white accents; SRAM Red gruppo
Time trial: Kuota Kueen K in black with white decals; SRAM Red gruppo
On the web: http://www.teamouch.com
On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/teamOUCH

TEAM QUICKSTEP
Sponsor: Flooring company
Team headquarters: Belgium
About the team: Team Quickstep is a Belgian based cycling team that has had much success at the top levels of cycling for over a decade. In 2008 and ‘09 Team Quickstep won the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and stages in the Tour de France and Vuelta.

Team roster:

51 CATALDO Dario (ITA)
52 CORNU Dominique (BEL)
53 ENGELS Addy (NED)
54 MALACARNE Davide (ITA)
55 SEELDRAEYERS Kevin (BEL)
56 VANDEWALLE Jurgen (BEL)
57 VEDEL KVIST Thomas (DEN)
58 ROBERT Frederick (BEL)

Team colors: White with royal blue sleeve stripes and side panels.
Team bikes:
Road: Specialized Tarmac SL2 carbon in black with red striping and white decals;
mixed gruppo of Specialized, other components
Time trial: Specialized Transition Pro in black with white decals; mixed gruppo of Specialized, other components
On the web: http://www.qsi-cycling.com/en/
On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/QuickStepTeam

PLANET ENERGY
Sponsor: Energy Collaborative
Team headquarters: Canada
About the team: Led by Canada’s most prolific cyclist, Steve Bauer, Planet Energy is the former R.A.C.E. continental team and feature former national champion Keven Lacombe and 2007 8th place overall finisher Andrew Randell.  Planet Energy is a first time entrant to the event.

Team roster:

141 PARISIEN Francois     (CAN)
142 LACOMBE Kevin (CAN)
143 ROTH Ryan (CAN)
144 GILBERT Martin (CAN)
145 LANGLOIS Bruno (CAN)
146 RANDELL Andrew    (CAN)
147 BOILY Eric (CAN)
148 BOIVIN Guillaume (CAN)
Team colors: White with kelly green sleeves and grey side panels.
Team bikes:
Road: Argon 18 Gallium Pro carbon in black with red stripes and white decals; Dura-Ace 7900 gruppo
Time trial: Argon 18 E-114 carbon in black with red stripes and white decals; Dura-Ace 7900 gruppo
On the web: http://cyclesportmanagement.com/
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/PlanetEnergy

SOURCES: tourofmissouri.com; team web sites