February 17, 2007 (Sausalito, CA) – Not to be outdone by San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, this was Sausalito’s night. They know how to throw on the ritz as the Amgen Tour of California Gala Event presentation, held in a huge circus tent right on the bay, was a huge success. With so much star power, it felt quasi-Hollywood from the red carpets to the bubbly champagne flowing freely.

Oui, it was tres sexy: not in the lycra-tight sweat-inspired sprints or uphill climbs some might prefer, but instead it was an evening to shine with pearls and plunging necklines with handsome black-tied chaperones. And it seemed fitting, as just a Metro ride away, the Oscars will begin just a few hours after the ATOC finishes (we gave the Gerolsteinter team directions to the LA underground in case they planned to check out the sexy satin madness on the Academy Award’s red carpet).

Likewise the Discovery team made their grand entrance lead by a model in a red satin gown (as if she were Lance), as Team Director Johann Bruyeel and his troupe found their way inside from the parking lot.

Inside a sit-down dinner for over 500 enjoyed the playful English, Scottish and Italian banter between MC’s Bob Roll and Paul Sherwin (Phil Liggett was delayed due to a visa mix up with Homeland Security). Mingling with Roll and Sherwin, many of the cycling industry VIPs attending let their hair down and opened their wallets at the silent and live auctions.

Between the introductions of the domestic and ProTour teams, the night was accented with a fashion show of sorts, cycling clothing was modeled by cyclists and a beauty queen, while other models turned cartwheels and swirled hoolahoops.

Many of the riders were in the mood laughing and flirting the night away, forgetting for the moment the eight days of pain and challenge that lie ahead.

Current road world champ, Quick Step’s Paulo Bettini, was in form as he “parlando in Italiano” with Bob Roll, while Discovery’s Ivan Basso stuck to his pat English nice phrases and beamed between hometown Disco fav’s Levi Leipheimer and George Hincapie. Paul Sherwin also gave Discovery a friendly plug mentioning “someone out there in the audience might be looking for a team to sponsor (as Discovery is pulling out after this year) and bids are being being accepted tonight!”.

It was an evening to remember as the Amgen Tour of California continues to grow in popularity and has quickly emerged is the most important cycling race in the USA.