I don't know exactly what it is but I'm now hooked on the Tour of California 2009. Before even scanning the line up, the wonderful irony company selling EPO continuing to sponsor a professional cycling race, made me smile. But it's some line up for what Henk Vogels bizarrely calls 'the fourth biggest race in the world'.

Basso is back since being rumbled on the eve of the 2006 TDF, Landis is back since being stripped of the 2006 TDF, Hamilton has been back for a while, but it's the first time I've watched him and of course the Livestrong circus is back and he's shooting from the hip as ever.

Throw in a wild man from Canada who didn't quite live up to the legend up to the legend in this interview, a strong Astana team containing Chris 'I used to do insightful interviews' Horner and reigning champion Levi Leipheimer (yawn). Of course a little known rider named Carlos Sastre is also there for a gentle run out and Tom Boonen has made the trip to California to get away from blonde teenagers and cocaine while Mark Cavendish is out there looking for a win or two. What the fuck? Maybe Henk was right!

The prologue, unsurprisingly won by Fabian Cancellara, adorned with gold sunglasses, held few surprises. The only really interesting thing was watching Floyd's ride. With his dodgy hip, divorce and mysterious failure to attend a pre race press conference, who knew if he could still get a leg over a bike? It's fair to say, he didn't look great, finishing 90th or thereabouts.

The first stage proper is when things got interesting. Well it was probably interesting but we didn't get any pictures until two minutes from the end due to the horrendous weather - come visit California! We had to make do with David Harmon talking about his mountain biking career (I love him really) and Fatty's live TOC blog (recommended).

By this stage Mancebo had led for all but 200 metres of the race and amazingly held off fresher legs to grab the stage as well as almost every jersey. It was a clever attack too, just as the riders hit a small, sharp dip just metres from the finish line. However tainted his reputation, it's a good win for the dreaded Rock Racing.For the record, Floyd finished respectably and had some bad luck with a mechanical.

Anyway, like I said I'm hooked. I might stroll over to the Podium Cafe's live thread tonight. And I reserve the right to be biased.