It's a more intricate sport than perhaps people perceive. Most people think you get on your bikes and ride. The Tour de France coverage has kind of explained that it's a lot more than that. Hopefully, by the end of the week, people will start to understand it.

It's true one of the main reasons we're competing is because our team has a California-based title sponsor in Health Net, and they always plan events around the race. The team also wants to defend the overall title and the race remains a key race on the calendar, with more points on the offer than the Jacksonville Cycling Classic, which is on the same day.

It's a marketing investment - they are trying to gain a wider exposure for their brand and their company.

This just might be the most important race (this season), it's the home state for the team and home state for the title sponsor.

I think it's unconscionable for a Senator from Massachusetts to come down here and tell the people of Florida what's right for them. It's arrogant and irresponsible.

We're in uncharted territory. We're seeing more people going to prepay than ever before. I think we'll look back on 2005 and say 'Remember when we used to be trusted to pay for our gas?