Technology Employed by 2008 Amgen Tour of California brings Enhanced Live Race Action to Fans Around the World
February 17-24 World-Class Stage Race Available Via InternetLOS ANGELES, February 13, 2008 – This year, watching the most popular U.S. professional cycling race from the comfort of home, office or finish lines will be easier and more enjoyable than ever.
For fans unable to attend the 2008 Amgen Tour of California in person, and those watching from the finish lines, race presenter AEG Sports and their partners will webcast every minute of the live race action, relying on an array of the newest, most sophisticated broadcast components to provide an enhanced, virtual race experience that gets fans closer to the action. From February 17-24 at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, cycling enthusiasts around the world will have the opportunity to watch the race live in full-screen format with multiple video streams, track specific riders by GPS, listen to insider race commentary and view detailed information about the race and its 136 elite riders.
As 17 of the world’s top professional cycling teams compete on a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena, Web site visitors will get a rider’s-eye view of the race; a team member's vantage point through "Day in the Life" video diaries from a Jelly Belly Cycling Team rider; and live, as well as archived close-up race footage. Further expanding on the elements that the Amgen Tour of California Web site introduced last year, the enhanced site will now also feature fan-generated content, including a chat room and the opportunity for enthusiasts to upload their own race photos through a photo-sharing Web site.
"For the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, our goal was to create the most advanced, detailed and informative viewing experience ever provided for cycling fans across the globe," said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "Taking into account user feedback from the past two years, we utilized technology that will give fans the opportunity to truly experience the excitement of professional cycling from their computers."
Back by popular demand is the Adobe Tour Tracker. Designed specifically for the Amgen Tour of California, it will employ the latest technology from founding partners Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) and Adobe to provide the ultimate viewing experience for cycling fanatics and casual observers alike. (The Adobe Tour Tracker requires Adobe Flash Player) Additionally, partner Tachyon Networks will provide technology that allows fans to experience the race action live from the finish line.
Some of the enhanced features of the Amgen Tour of California Web site include:
GPS/RFID Tracking
- The Location Object Field Tracking (LOFT) beta technology provides the ability to track any of the 136 riders and/or 17 teams, which allows users to choose who they want to follow (provided by CSC)
Video (The race uses Adobe Flash technology to bring an engaging online video experience to cycling fans.)
- Live video stream of each stage, from start to finish (Powered by Adobe Flash technology)
- Two video sources that will provide users with alternate viewing options (provided by Adobe)
- Enhanced user interface featuring elevation, route, rider and peloton positions and text and audio race commentary (provided by Adobe)
- Daily archived stage video clips (Streamed using Adobe Flash technology)
Photos
- Professional photography uploaded several times throughout each day (Provided by CSC and Adobe)
- Ability to upload fan race photos to a photo-sharing Web site, which may be transferred to the Amgen Tour of California Web site
Tour News and Updates
- Fan chat room
- Minute-by-minute textual race commentary
- Audio channel with live audio commentary from sports journalist Joe Silva and one of the most well-respected names in American professional cycling, Frankie Andreu. Also, live commentary from the road from Mari Holden, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist and former World Time Trial Champion
- The Amgen Tour of California mobile peloton will provide breaking news and updates via text messages. Additionally, for two dollars, fans can text "DONATE" to 222377 to donate money to Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative and be entered into a drawing for an array of Amgen Tour of California prizes
At the race itself, the Adobe Tour Tracker will be accessible to special guests through the mobile communications solution provided by Tachyon Networks. Tachyon’s technology enhances the race experience in two ways – by enabling a web stream for the Adobe Tour Tracker at the stage finish lines in special viewing areas and by providing a transportable enterprise-grade communications network for the event organizers at each stage of the race.
“At Adobe, we look at the opportunity to work with the cutting-edge sport of professional cycling as a great way to push the envelope with our technology," said Michael Gough, vice president of product experience, Adobe. "There are some really amazing things that happen at this intersection of emerging technologies and sports; the Tour Tracker is the latest example of this.”
"CSC’s 'LOFT' technology will provide cycling fans with the opportunity to select and closely follow their favorite riders and teams online throughout the tour,” said Daniel Munyan, chief technologist for CSC's Visibility Solutions. “As we deliver a brand new way to enjoy cycling, the Amgen Tour of California provides a showcase for our leading-edge sensor integration technologies that address the safety, location, security and compliance issues of companies and governments around the world.”
“Tachyon supports the Amgen Tour of California by providing remote communications facilities that can be up and running in ten minutes or less, regardless of location,” said Peter Carides, CEO of Tachyon. “Tachyon’s transportable solution helps extend and enhance access to the sights and sounds of the race and all of the latest race information, helping make the Amgen Tour of California one of the finest cycling events in the world.”
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.# # #
