Team Radioshack is aiming for Levi Leipheimer to win the race this year. It would make it his 4th time winning his home race. Radioshack is surrounding Levi with Lance Armstrong, and Chris Horne just to name a few. The other 'big' teams aren't sleeping on this race either. "HTC Columbia brings Mark Cavendish; Saxo Bank Cancellara, Schleck and Voigt; while Rabobank – having a lot of offices on the West Coast - comes with a strong roster too. BMC is stronger than they've ever been before with George Hincapie. This will certainly be the most competitive field since the race started in 2006."
On not entering the Giro this year, Radioshack chose to enter the Tour of California due to its primarily American sponsor, Radioshack.
I'm hoping to catch stage 7, the individual time trial, which is in downtown Los Angeles. It's nice seeing some pro cycling teams mix it up with the regional and domestic teams. Last year I remember seeing Bissel and Jelly Belly riding along Astana and HTC in Pasadena. Dope sight to see. Should be a great race with all the heavyweights entering the ring.
Words and image from here.