The Ford Tour de Georgia, the second major stage race on the U.S. pro cycling calendar, begins Tuesday in Augusta. A veteran cycling blogger from Georgia named Frank Steele has expanded his coverage of the Tour de Georgia this year by launching the Tour de Georgia Blog at www.TdGblog.com. This is one of the places I will look for race updates during the week.

Tom Danielson of Discovery Channel took the overall victory last year after a dramatic win in Stage 5 to the top of Brasstown Bald. Operation Gadget provided the best daily coverage of the Tour de Georgia in 2005, and I wish I could be there to do it again today.

The Tour de Georgia is shaping up to be exciting again this year with the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, Team CSC, and Team Phonak each having riders who can contend for the General Classification victory. You can find more information about the teams in Tour de Georgia Final Rosters Announced over on TdGblog.