Redlands, CA - The Redlands Classic opens today in Southern California with a climbing 5 km prologue. But more noteworthy is the return Friday of Oak Glen, the Category 1 climb that will mark the end of a 156.6 km stage that also includes three Cat. 2 climbs as a precursor. The long, alpine-style climb to the 4,819 summit of Oak Glen was left off the route in 2006, but returns at the end of a new route for the stage which incorporates the challenging warm-up climbs.

The Health Net Pro Cycling Team Presented by Maxxis returns to Redlands as defending champion for the second consecutive year, but without the actual defending champion and pre-race favorite Nathan O'Neill, who is recovering from a car accident.

Instead, Health Net Presented by Maxxis will be headlined by the other two prongs of it's three-pronged GC attack, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal and Aussie Rory Sutherland, who should know the local roads well, as he's been living and training in Redlands since January. Jeff Louder also arrives in Redlands with increasing form and could provide yet another weapon for the team in the chase for the GC title.

Once again, the competition will be fierce at Redlands. The proliferation of talent throughout the peloton that began in 2006 has only increased for 2007. Toyota-United sends Chris Baldwin and Chris Wherry, who won Redlands in 2005 while riding for Health Net Presented by Maxxis. After slugging it out in Fresno two weeks ago, Sutherland will renew his battle with Ben Jaques-Maynes of Priority Health. Another former Health Net Presented by Maxxis rider, the ageless Scott Moninger, will come into the race as team leader for BMC.

O'Neill update

Nathan O'Neill of Health Net Presented by Maxxis continues his recovery from a car accident just over a week ago. The eight-time Australian Time Trial National Champion was back on the bike this week, and is expected to get stitches out of his forearm Friday. He will continue his recovery and rebuild his form ahead of his much-anticipated season debut, now scheduled for his adopted home-state Tour de Georgia.

Health Net Presented by Maxxis for Redlands:
Russell Downing (GBr)
Ryder Hesjedal (Can)
Tim Johnson (USA)
Jeff Louder (USA)
Karl Menzies (TAS)
Doug Ollerenshaw (USA)
Rory Sutherland (AUS)
Stages
March 22 - Prologue; 5 km, 680 feet elevation gain
March 23 - Stage 1; 156.6 Km, four rated climbs, finishing with Cat. 1 Oak Glen (4,819 ft.)
March 24 - Stage 2; 90-minute Downtown Criterium
March 25 - Stage 3; Sunset Road Race