Initial List of World-Class Riders Announced for 2008 Amgen Tour of California
Defending Champion Levi Leipheimer Returns for World-Class Stage RaceLOS ANGELES, February 12, 2008 – Top riders participating in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California were announced today by AEG Sports, presenter of the race. These riders will help comprise the field of 136 top athletes that will be competing in the third annual professional cycling stage race.
The 650-mile, eight-day stage race, modeled after the Tour de France and considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, will take the world’s top professional cycling teams from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena from February 17-24. Renowned riders from the previously announced 17 professional cycling teams competing in the race include the following competitors.
Top Amgen Tour of California Contenders:
- Paolo Bettini (ITA), Quick Step
- Tom Boonen (BEL), Quick Step
- Fabian Cancellara (SUI), Team CSC
- Oscar Freire Gomez (ESP), Rabobank
- George Hincapie (USA), High Road
- Bobby Julich (USA), Team CSC
- Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana
- David Millar (GBR), Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30
- Fred Rodriguez (USA), Rock Racing
- Rory Sutherland (AUS), Health Net Presented by Maxxis
Top 2007 Tour de France Notables:
- Tom Boonen (Quick Step): Stage 6 and 12; first overall Sprint
- Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC): Prologue; Stage 3
- Kim Kirchen (High Road): Seventh overall
- Levi Leipheimer (Astana): Stage 19; third overall
2007 World Champion Medalists:
- Paolo Bettini (Quick Step): World Road Race Champion
- Fabian Cancellara (Team CSC): World Time Trial Champion
*Complete rosters to follow on Thursday
"The Amgen Tour of California offers the world’s best cyclists some of the most challenging terrain that California has to offer," said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "This list of world-class riders solidifies the race's position as one of the premier cycling events in the world."
"This year’s race was extremely competitive," commented Levi Leipheimer after winning the 2007 Amgen Tour of California. "Without that level of competition this victory wouldn’t be as satisfying as it is. It’s really one of my most satisfying victories."
For more information about the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style road race presented by AEG that will challenge the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena from February 17-24, 2008.About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science's promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com.About AEG
AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE and NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, a Major League Lacrosse team, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG LIVE, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.# # #
