Forecasters say this year's Tour of California could be just as wet as last year's

Last year’s Tour of California was notable for its cool, rainy weather that combined with a nasty bug going through the peloton to produce a 41 percent attrition rate for the then-eight-day race.

This year, riders are hoping to avoid the infection. But there is little hope of escape from a longer, tougher, race and predicted cool, wet and windy weather.

Team OUCH's Tim Johnson, known for his ability to race cyclocross in brutal conditions, says he is preparing for the toughest race of his career.

"It's going to be friggin' brutal," Johnson told VeloNews Wednesday.

"It was already hard last year, and this year there's a harder course and a better field," he said. "And there could be epic conditions."

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