Oakland, CA - Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis riders have been putting their Health Net insurance coverage to more use in 2006 than in previous years. While last year saw the team suffer only a couple of significant injuries (Tyler Farrar with a broken collarbone; John Lieswyn with a fractured hip), this year has taken a bit greater toll. But the affected riders are well on their way back.

New Zealander Greg Henderson has recovered from a fractured hip sustained in a crash during the McLane Pacific Foothills Road Race in March and will start the five-day Mt. Hood Classic in Oregon on Wednesday, May 31.

Garrett Peltonen, who returned from the recently completed Europe swing with a 10th place at the difficult Trophee des Grimpeurs on April 30, also came back suffering from a nasty saddle sore, as well as the after-effects of a cold and fever. According to team Directeur Sportif Jeff Corbett, Peltonen is being prescribed some R&R before resuming racing again in June.

Doug Ollerenshaw was also positioned for a top-10 finish at Grimpeurs before going down in the treacherous conditions and suffering an acetabulum, or hip socket fracture. There was some hope that he would return for his home-state Mt. Hood race, but he is still about three weeks out from racing, and is expected back for the Tour de Nez in June.

Alberto Tiberio also got caught up in a wreck during the Peace Race in the Czech Republic in mid-May, and sustained a fractured wrist. He is currently recovering in his native Switzerland and is tentatively scheduled to return to the U.S. to race the Nature Valley Grand Prix in mid-June.

Hayden Roulston continues to recover from a viral infection that came on shortly after his silver medal-winning performance in the points race at the Commonwealth Games, March 17. Doctors are continuing to monitor his recovery in his native New Zealand.