The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis will have one extra rider for the Stage 3 individual time trial at the Amgen Tour of California. Scott Thornton of the NHL's San Jose Sharks will don Health Net Presented by Maxxis kit, mount a Health Net Presented by Maxxis Cannondale time trial bike and ride the entire course for the time trial in south San Jose shortly before the pros begin rolling out at 11 a.m., February 22, 2006.

"When I got the word I'd be riding the time trial in Health Net Presented by Maxxis colors, I was pretty excited," Thornton said. "How often do you get an opportunity like this?"

Thornton became a serious cyclist during the NHL lock-out last season, even completing the grueling Sierra Death Ride, a 120-mile climb fest in the Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Thornton will leave from the start area near the IBM campus on Bailey Road south of San Jose at approximately 9:00 a.m., and roll through the undulating 17-mile course to the finish by Los Paseos Elementary School on Santa Teresa Boulevard. He will be escorted by the Health Net Presented by Maxxis follow car - in case he gets a flat tire and needs a wheel change - as well as a media van and several members of the San Jose Police Department motorcycle detail.

When asked if he had any predictions on how long he would take to finish, he was coy. "I just want to roll the course and enjoy it," he said. "I'm not trying to set any records. I'll leave that to guys like my teammate Nathan O'Neill."

Prior to riding the time trial course, Thornton will be the featured guest at the 7:30 a.m. media breakfast at Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, off McKean Road/County Highway G8. Following his ride, Thornton will be a guest of Health Net Presented by Maxxis at the team's RV, where he and several teammates will be available to sign autographs, conduct further interviews and watch the professional cyclists as they rip through the course.

What: Scott Thornton, San Jose Sharks, Time Trial Exhibition

Where: Media Breakfast, Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, 23600 McKean Road

TT Start: IBM Campus, Bailey Rd., South San Jose

TT Finish: Los Paseos Elementary School, Santa Teresa Blvd., South San Jose (Autographs and meet and greet to follow)

When: February 22, 2006; Media Breakfast 8:15 - 8:50 a.m.

Ride Start: 9:00 a.m. (approximate)

Finish: 9:55 a.m. (approximate)

Official Stage 3 Start: 11 a.m.

Bike: Health Net Presented by Maxxis Cannondale Time Trial Bike, equipped with Shimano components; Ritchey seatpost and Probiscus TT bar/stem; Health Net Presented by Maxxis team issue Fi'zi:k saddle; Speedplay pedals; and Reynolds Stratus Deep V carbon wheels rolling on Maxxis tires.