There's no doubt that Lance Armstrong lifted the 49th Nevada City Classic to another level Tuesday, when he announced that he'll be on the bike at the Broad Street start/finish line Sunday afternoon.

But before anyone crowns Armstrong as the inevitable champion, four former Nevada City winners — including his Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer — might have something to say about that.

In what is quickly shaping up to be the strongest field of riders in years — if not ever — Sunday's Nevada City Classic is set to be quite a star-studded affair.

Leipheimer, the three-time reigning Amgen Tour of California champ, won the Nevada City Classic in 1998. And Chris Horner, their Astana teammate who will also be in the hunt, has posted a top five finish here.

“They've all done well on this course. But does that mean they'll win it?” said Nevada City race organizer Duane Strawser. “Not even close. In the last three hours we've had a lot of great riders just coming out of the woodwork since they learned Lance and Levi would be here.”

Though the final roster of riders won't be fully known until the front tires are on the line Sunday, three past masters of Nevada City hope to deny Armstrong the top spot on the podium — or, at the very least, they hope to share the stage with the seven-time Tour de France champion.

Chad Gerlach, the 1996 Nevada City winner who returned to the world cycling scene earlier this year after battling addiction, said he'll be there Sunday. Burke Swindlehurst, who won the 2005 race, is also among the pre-registered riders.

And Justin England, who won his second Nevada City Classic last year, expects to make a strong bid for a third title with seven of his California Giant Berry Farms/Specialized teammates in tow.

“I wouldn't miss it,” said England, who resides in Boulder, Colo. “It's my favorite of all the races I've done. It's the course, the difficulty, the way the community turns out to support the race and just how much fun it is. It just strikes me as the perfect race.

“But (having Armstrong and Leipheimer in the mix), that will definitely change the face of the race. If the legs are good, we could have a good shot. But even if I got a position on the podium behind those guys, I'd consider it a win.”

Gerlach, who has found fast success in his return to cycling this year, said he's not sure whether he'll be able to run up front with the race leaders. But the 35-year-old racing veteran is sure about one thing: “With Lance and Levi there, I think that means there are going to be 20,000 people in Nevada City this weekend,” said Gerlach, a member of the Amore & Vita cycling team who lives Sacramento.

“It's going to be a massive, massive crowd.”

What could be better for Nevada City, which will be celebrating a half century of cycling and is looking to land a stage of the Amgen Tour of California next spring?

Big names and a big crowd certainly seem to have a big celebration in store for Sunday.

But no matter who else gets his name on the entry list between now and then, one other thing is certain for the 49th annual race through Nevada City: It's sure to be a Classic moment in the rich history of the longest-running bicycle race west of the Mississippi.

Brian Hamilton is sports editor at The Union. Contact him via e-mail at bhamilton@theunion.com or by phone at 477-4240.