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U.S. Cyclist van Garderen Wins His First Major Stage Race to Capture ‘Best-ever week of Racing on American Soil’ While Peter Sagan Wins the Stage to Conclude 8th Annual Amgen Tour California

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:52:18 PDT

BMC Racing Team Seizes Victory Before Massive Crowds During Eighth and Final Day of Racing in America’s Greatest Race

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (May 19, 2013) – After eight epic days of racing along nearly 750 miles of California’s most iconic roadways, highways and coastlines, BMC Racing Team’s Tejay van Garderen (Boulder, Colo.) sealed his first major stage race win at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, which concluded today in Santa Rosa, Calif.

“It’s a big relief. It’s a weight off my shoulders. I got the monkey off my back and hopefully this gets the ball rolling, and I can start racking up a bit more [wins],” said van Garderen, of ending the race in the Amgen Race Leader Jersey he gained after Stage 5. With his five-week-old daughter Rylan there today to share his victory, he reflected: “Maybe becoming a daddy was the difference [in taking the overall win]… I think I’m just maybe a bit more relaxed, a bit more mature, and I just had to be patient.”

Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan outsprinted the field to win the race’s final stage, a 80.7-mile jaunt that took cyclists from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge for the only the second time in race history, to the overall finish in the cycling mecca of Santa Rosa. The race’s final stage aired live on NBC. It was Sagan’s 10th career Amgen Tour of California stage win, the most of anyone who has ridden in America’s Greatest Race. A sea of fans turned out for the BMC Racing Team’s homecoming, which included overall team honors in this year’s race. Team leader van Garderen was named the Best Young Rider in the 2011 Amgen Tour of California and placed fourth overall last year, but today marked his first career overall title with a final time of 29:43:00.

“I’m very happy for the win today and I thank all my teammates because we did work hard from the start and then when we [came to the] circuit, we were always in the front. And then Garmin was the last group, but my teammates helped me on the last turn. I was on the front, then I started doing my sprint the last 200 meters, and I won,” said Sagan. “I dedicate this victory to my Cannondale friend, Alex Shephard [an 11-year-old fan fighting brain cancer]. It’s great to win this stage because I get to dedicate this to him.”

In the final five miles, where the racers completed two circuits in downtown Santa Rosa at speeds of up to 40 mph, teams jockeyed for position to lead out their sprinters for a dash to the finish line. After challenges from Team Garmin-Sharp, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies and ORICA GreenEDGE, Cannondale regained control with .7 miles left in the race.

Stage winners were equal parts sprinters and climbers this year, as racers had to contend with several game-changing climbs that totaled a race record of 60,000 feet. Second for the overall finish was 2010 Amgen Tour of California champion Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff (1:47), followed by Team Jamis-Hagens Berman’s Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL), whose determined climbs in Stages 2 and 7 earned him the precious seconds he needed for a podium finish (+3:26). Acevedo wore the yellow jersey for the first half of the race, and after getting caught out by a breakaway in Stage 5, he battled his way back to podium position yesterday to end the race just ahead of fourth- and fifth-place finishers Mathias Frank (SUI) of BMC Racing Team (+3:32) and Cameron Meyer (AUS) of ORICA GreenEDGE (+3:33). Proving on home turf they are a force to be reckoned with, American cyclists took four of the top 10 finishes overall.

Earlier in today’s stage, a three-man breakaway escaped from the peloton around mile four and held their advantage until 10 miles to the finish, when Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Thomas De Gendt (BEL), the third-place finisher in last year’s Giro d’Italia, fell back into the pack. The remaining two riders, Bontrager Cycling Team’s Antoine Duchesne (Petaluma, Calif.) and Santa Rosa-based BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Jason McCartney (Coralville, Iowa) kept their lead until just before the finishing circuits. McCartney, the second of the three to rejoin the peloton, was awarded the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey for his ride out front today. McCartney is the only cyclist of the 127 who began this year’s competition who has started and finished in all eight editions of the Amgen Tour of California.

“It’s been fantastic,” said McCartney of his time with the race over the years. “One year I was third….I got the climbers jersey one year…we won it with Levi [Leipheimer] one year, with [Chris] Horner another year, so I’ve just had great experiences here. It’s a beautiful state. I love racing here.”

McCartney’s teammate on BISSELL Pro Cycling, Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.), cinched the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey competition yesterday, having worn the polka-dotted jersey every day since the race began; and Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas) came away with the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey, which he has worn since Stage 3.

“The future of American cycling has arrived. How fitting that in America’s biggest stage race, we’ve seen America’s next big cycling superstar emerge to claim his first major stage race victory. And, a great showing of top-10 finishes by Americans in a field of the top riders in the world,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “The 2013 Amgen Tour of California was the most spellbinding yet, and it’s thanks to our sponsors, partners, Host Cities, teams and riders – and most importantly the fans – that the race continues to grow in both size and prestige year after year.”

The eighth annual Amgen Tour of California from May 12-19 ran south to north for the first time this year, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 127 riders on 16 teams (111 remained in the final day of racing) battled through 12 Host Cities and a record 60,000 feet of climbing, including an epic summit finish atop Mt. Diablo yesterday.

An important partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

Founded by Amgen in 2005 as a complementary component to its title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer continues to raise awareness of the important resources available to people impacted by cancer – from prevention to survivorship.

“The 18,000 staff members at Amgen come to work every day motivated by the chance to dramatically improve people’s lives,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “As a company dedicated to helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses, Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California and have the opportunity to increase awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer through our Breakaway from Cancer initiative.”

Following a successful week of honoring and celebrating cancer survivors as the race traveled through the state, today Mountain View resident and long-time Breakaway from Cancer supporter, cancer survivor Blaine Mauldin fired the official start gun to begin the stage from San Francisco to Santa Rosa. Marc Van Riper, 2012 Breakaway from Cancer Champion, had the honor of awarding BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Jason McCartney with the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey. And Hoffmann presented the overall race leader jersey to 2013 Amgen Tour of California winner Tejay van Garderen of BMC Racing Team.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

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Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

König Passed Rivals on one of the Greatest Climbs on American Soil to Claim Victory on the Summit of Mt. Diablo in Queen Stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:54:27 PDT

Van Garderen Looking to Seal Overall Victory in BMC Racing Team’s Hometown

Cyclists Face Off for Overall Honors Sunday, Racing from San Francisco to Santa Rosa Via Golden Gate Bridge

MT. DIABLO, Calif. (May 18, 2013) – In one of the greatest climbs ever in American cycling, the epic 3,865-foot uphill trail to the Amgen Tour of California’s first summit finish on Mt. Diablo in Stage 7 today served as a battleground for attacks and breakaways, with Team NetApp-Endura’s Leopold König (CZE) overtaking Team Jamis-Hagens Berman’s Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL) in the final meters to win the stage.

“The entire race I felt good. I had good legs today,” said König. “To be truthful, I like alpine-top finishes, and thought I could win today. This is the biggest win so far (career) for me. But, hopefully more in the future.”

Yesterday’s climb up Metcalf Road at the end of the San Jose time trial foreshadowed the result of today’s uphill finish. After posting two of the fastest climbs yesterday, König and Acevedo attacked the three-man leader group in the final two miles at one of the steepest points of the route. Pulling ahead to a 20-second advantage over the peloton, it was either rider’s stage to win until the final 200 meters when König went clear to seal the victory.

BMC Racing Team worked hard to control the peloton up the mountain to put team leader Tejay van Garderen (Boulder, Colo.) in position to finish the stage in third place and secure the Amgen Race Leader Jersey he gained after Stage 5 for the 8-stage race’s conclusion tomorrow. Crossing the finish line just after van Garderen was 2010 Amgen Tour of California champion Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, who trails the overall leader by 1 minute, 47 seconds. van Garderen and BMC Racing Team will be looking to defend the yellow jersey and take the overall victory tomorrow in Santa Rosa, Calif., where the team is headquartered.

“It was an unbelievable team effort. I knew they were strong. I knew they were motivated. But they went above and beyond. They made my life somewhat easy out there, but it was still a hard day.” said van Garderen, taking note of the meandering 10-mile climb up Mt. Diablo, which is situated east of Oakland. “The climb was beautiful. I heard they wouldn’t let bikes up the last two kilometers, so to see so many people hike the final way up was amazing.”

Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Lieuwe Westra (NED) was awarded his third type of special award jersey today, donning the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey after spending most of the day in a breakaway the initiated after the morning’s start in Livermore. In the final 10 miles of today’s stage, one by one, the lead riders fell back into the peloton as they toiled to the top of Mt. Diablo, with Westra and Team NetApp-Endura’s David De La Cruz (ESP) holding out as the only remaining escapees until the final miles when several attacks changed the leader landscape.

Westra constantly attacked throughout the day saying he hoped he would “win another stage” and even “make it to the podium for the final day.” His breakaway group grew their lead through the day to a maximum of four minutes, which the peloton closed to about 30 seconds at the base of Mt. Diablo. As the final 10 miles up Mt. Diablo steepened, various teams took the opportunity to attack. A bold move in mile 88 by RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK’s Jens Voigt (GER) recalled his solo uphill attack yesterday to claim the stage. Closing the leader gap to 15 seconds, Voigt was then overtaken by Francisco Mancebo Perez (ESP) of 5-hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team, in an attempt to catch the leaders (Westra and De La Cruz) before the finish.

With about two miles left to ride, Mancebo had the two leaders in his sights and quickly gained the lead, just as Voigt fell back into the peloton, where Janier Alexis Acevedo was making a move to the front. Acevedo then broke away from the peloton with 1.8 miles left to go in a bid to make up the 34 seconds that would put him in third place overall ahead of ORICA GreenEDGE’s Cameron Meyer (AUS). Acevedo’s uphill work paid off, and he will head into the final day of racing tomorrow defending the third-place overall podium spot :6 ahead of BMC Racing Team’s Mathias Frank (SUI) and :7 ahead of Meyer.

Today’s stage saw no changes to the other leader jerseys: Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK) will continue in the Visit California Sprint Jersey, though only one point separates him from Team Garmin-Sharp’s Tyler Farrar (Seattle, Wash.), who will be vying for a jersey change tomorrow. With no mountains in tomorrow’s stage, BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) has clinched the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey, which he’s worn since the first day of racing; and Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas) will continue for the final day in the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey, which he claimed in Stage 2.

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., tomorrow. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 111 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race.

An important partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

“Amgen is proud to be part of this successful race, which is helping advance the popularity of cycling in America while also helping increase awareness of the resources that are available to those affected by cancer,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “The Breakaway from Cancer nonprofit partners collectively offer people affected by cancer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.”

Today cancer survivor Virginia (Dee) Williams was honored and celebrated at the final Breakaway Mile, a special one-mile walk that crossed the race stage start line to honor the millions of cancer survivors worldwide. Williams, a twelve-year breast cancer survivor, was selected for her tireless efforts as an American Cancer Society volunteer.

During the Breakaway Mile, Williams was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Dineli Wickramasinghe, executive director of Research at Amgen, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

Founded by Amgen in 2005 as a complementary component to its title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California, Breakaway from Cancer continues to raise awareness of the important resources available to people impacted by cancer – from prevention to survivorship.

Also part of the today’s race activities, Livermore residents and cancer advocates Matt and Dana Croghan fired the official start gun, and Williams had the honor of awarding Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Lieuwe Westra with the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey.

For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 8 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY AMGEN:
Sunday, May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa (80.7 mi/129.9 km)
Start Time: 8:15 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 11:41 a.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 12:50 – 1 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

With two hours of live race coverage on NBC beginning at 10 a.m. PT, organizers also expect a record showing of in-person fans in Santa Rosa for the Overall Finish of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. A stage for the ages, organizers could not have designed a better conclusion for America’s Greatest Race. The racers will pass through San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Hwy 1, Point Reyes National Seashore, Bodega Bay, Occidental, and ride a final two circuits amidst what is guaranteed to an overflowing reception in Santa Rosa, with all eyes watching as hometown team BMC Racing’s Tejay van Garderen contends for the overall win.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

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Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Van Garderen Triumphs on San Jose Time Trial Course and Increases Overall Lead in the 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:18:56 PDT

Twists and Turns Bring Podium Surprises in Men’s and Women’s Time Trials with Stevens Dominating Women’s Race

Overall ATOC Championship Still Up for Grabs As Cyclists Prepare for Saturday’s Queen Stage and Race’s First Summit Finish at Mt. Diablo, Followed By Overall Finish Sunday

SAN JOSE, Calif. (May 17, 2013) – In Stage 6 in San Jose today, BMC Racing Team’s Tejay van Garderen (Boulder, CO) conquered the most challenging individual time trial course in the history of the Amgen Tour of California to retain his Amgen Race Leader Jersey for a second day. His determined ride bested five national time trial champions of their respective countries to take the stage with a time of 48:52, which increased his overall race lead to 1:47 over 2010 Amgen Tour of California champion Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff, with just two stages left to ride.

The 19.6-mile time trial course in Silicon Valley was fittingly punctuated by peaks and valleys, including a steep 1.8-mile climb at the end of the race, which gained 1,001-feet of elevation. The difficult climb featured several pitches at more than a 10 percent grade, and added an extra layer of difficulty especially for the sprinters, who are used to the time trial serving as a sprinting battleground. The steep finish faced riders with an equipment conundrum, having to decide whether to continue the climb on a lighter time trial bike, or take the time to switch to a road bike that could make up precious seconds uphill. van Garderen, who held onto a definitive lead throughout the entire course, chose to ride to the finish on his time trial bike, which aided in his becoming the only rider to post a time under 49 minutes.

“I knew I could produce power on my time trial bike so I just put that out of the equation. I didn’t reconsider my decision. It was a very interesting route the Amgen Tour of California chose. Very dynamic – had a little bit of everything,” said van Garderen, who finished fifth overall in last year’s Tour de France. “There were never very many moments in the race to recover. You started on a big climb, then up another climb, and the only time to recover was a technical descent, but you’re holding your breath trying not to crash. The long straight headwind section was harder than the climb itself.”

Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s resident national time trial champion Lieuwe Westra (NED), who wore the yellow jersey after Stage 1, finished in second place 23 seconds behind van Garderen with a time of 49:15, with Team Garmin-Sharp’s Rohan Dennis (AUS) in a close third-place finish another five seconds back (49:20).

Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Michael Rogers (AUS), a three-time world time trial champion, placed fourth today (+1.05) to bring him to (+1:47) off the lead in the overall contest heading into a brutal day of climbing tomorrow before the race finale Sunday. Rogers’ ride today garnered him the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

“Sure, we will make a go at it tomorrow and see if I can pick up time but we have to be realistic; Tejay is in the shape of his life,” said Rogers. “I feel I had a pretty good ride today and he finished more than a minute ahead of me.”

Noticeably absent from the board was five-time U.S. national time trial champion David Zabriskie of Team Garmin-Sharp, who sustained a broken clavicle during reconnaissance this morning and did not start in today’s stage. Zabriskie is also four-times runner up in the Amgen Tour of California.

Today’s stage saw no changes to the other leader jerseys: Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK) will continue in the Visit California Sprint Jersey; BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) continues to hold onto the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey, which he’s worn since the first day of racing; and Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas) will once again don the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey, which he claimed in Stage 2.

Just prior to the start of the men’s time trial, 15 of the fastest women professional cyclists in the world faced off on the same course for the annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial. Favorites for the day included Specialized-lululemon’s Evelyn Stevens (USA), who took the silver medal in the world time trial championships last year, and U.S. national time trial champion Amber Neben, who suffered a crash descending around a tight corner and did not finish the course. Stevens crossed the finish with a time of 55:49 to earn the top spot on the podium. Alison Powers (USA), riding for NOW and Novartis for MS, claimed second place (56:46) for the second consecutive year, and Exergy Twenty16’s Kristin McGrath (USA) took third (57:12).

“You’ve just got to go and push through it. You just have to go as hard as you can,” said Stevens of the win.

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 111 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

An important partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

“For more than 30 years, Amgen has tapped the power of pioneering science and innovation to discover, develop and deliver innovative human therapeutics,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “That’s why Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California and to continue Breakaway from Cancer as a vehicle to raise awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship.”

Amgen created the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California. Through Breakaway from Cancer, Amgen and its four nonprofit partners offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.

Today’s activities featured cancer survivor Robert Swan who fired the official start gun to begin the stage, and cancer advocate Giovanna Baldassare had the honor of awarding Team Saxo-Tinkoff’s Michael Rogers the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 7 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY NISSAN:
Saturday, May 18 – Livermore to Mt. Diablo Summit Finish (91.4 mi/147.1 km)
Start Time: 11:35 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:48 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 3:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

This is the stage that spectators and racers have been asking to see for the past seven years. In all likelihood, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will be won or lost on the climb to the peak of Mt. Diablo. The 91-mile route will feature Morgan Territory Road, one of the more spectacular roads the race has ever used. The race will also return to Patterson Pass Road and its infamous “wall” climb before returning to Livermore for the first Sprint of the day. The route to Mt. Diablo from Livermore is the same that was used in 2012, when the crowds were among the largest ever seen along a mountain route for the race. In 2013, the race will add an additional five miles of climbing to the actual summit. Mt. Diablo has one of the greatest viewscape of any mountain in California – on a clear day you can see nearly 200 miles in any direction. The racing, as well as the views, should be epic as the peloton toils to the finish.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

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Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Voigt Pulls Away from Top Sprinters Riding Into Avila Beach to Claim 2013 Amgen Tour of California Stage Victory

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:43:59 PDT

Wind and Breakaway Led by 41-Year-Old Voigt Dictate Big Changes to Leader Board During Stage 5; van Garderen Will Wear Yellow Tomorrow

Cyclists Prepare to Race the Clock in San Jose Time Trial Friday During Stage 6; Event to Include 15 Top Women Riders

AVILA BEACH, Calif. (May 16, 2013) – With an imposing pack of top sprinters angling for the win 25 miles from the finish line in Avila Beach, RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK’S Jens Voigt (GER) made his second decisive attack of the day and struck out on his own to claim the Stage 5 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. Forty-one-year-old Voigt has ridden in seven of the eight editions of America’s Greatest Race, and has come close to the overall win, taking second place in 2007. Today’s win marked the 66th victory of his illustrious career.

“I felt like I’m a little bit stronger than the other guys in the break, but of course less fast than the sprinters, so the only chance for me to win is to come here [to the finish line] alone,” said Voigt, who at 41 is the oldest licensed racer in the world. “I went all in, and it worked. I’m a really happy man tonight. This is not the twilight of my career. Let’s call it ‘Indian Summer.’”

Besting the second- and third-place finishers by a whopping six seconds with his solo attack in the final 2.5 miles of the race, Voigt also orchestrated the defining move of the day – a breakaway of 17 elite riders about 82 miles into the 115-mile stage from Santa Barbara to Avila Beach, which the NBC Sports Network announcers called “the best move of the race in the last five days.”

Sensing a change in the punishing crosswinds as they rode through the town of Guadalupe, Voigt made a move to split the peloton, which forced overall leader Jose Acevedo (COL) of Team Jamis-Hagens Berman out of position, eventually causing him to lose the race’s overall lead. The group grew their advantage over the peloton to about a minute before reaching the tight turns in the final 200 meters to the finish. In addition to the stage win, these maneuvers also earned Voigt the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey today.

Acevedo (COL), who has been in the Amgen Race Leader Jersey since day two, got trapped along with four of the top-10 riders who had been in the overall standings before today. With the peloton ultimately unable to catch the escapees, BMC Racing Team’s

Tejay van Garderen (Boulder, CO), a favorite for the overall win, will wear the coveted yellow jersey for tomorrow’s individual time trials. This will give him the advantage of seeing the other riders’ times before he takes his turn on the 20-mile course in San Jose. With the race running south to north this year, van Garderen and his team will look to defend the leader jersey through the final day of racing, ending in Santa Rosa, Calif, where BMC Racing Team is based.

Some of the peloton’s top sprinters joined Voigt on the podium following the stage, with Team Garmin-Sharp’s Tyler Farrar (Seattle, Wash.) claiming second place today, and BMC Racing Team’s Thor Hushovd (NOR) in third. Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK), a favorite for today’s podium, ended the stage in fourth but holds onto the isit California Sprint Jersey.

BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) continues to hold onto the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey, which he’s worn since the first day of racing. Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas) will continue in the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey, which he claimed in Stage 2.

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 113 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

An important partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

“Amgen’s innovative therapies help millions of people around the world in their fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “Through the Amgen Tour of California sponsorship, we are able to raise awareness of the contributions the biotechnology industry makes toward advances in medicine while also helping those impacted by cancer through Breakaway from Cancer.”

Amgen created the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations – Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer - Survivorship – who are all represented in the Breakaway from Cancer booth in the race Lifestyle Festival to provide information about access to resources. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals.

As part of the today’s race activities, Santa Barbara resident and cancer survivor Peggy Rantanen fired the official start gun and cancer survivor Thom Schulz had the honor of awarding Jens Voigt the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey.

For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 6 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY CRUNCHIES FOOD COMPANY:
Thursday, May 16 – San Jose Individual Time Trial (19.6 mi/31.6 km)
Start Time – Women’s Time Trial: 12:45 p.m. PT
Start Time – Men’s Time Trial: 1 p.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:51 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 3:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

Fifteen of the top professional women cyclists in the world with join the professional men for the individual time trial course in San Jose. The route will return to the race’s inaugural time trial course from 2006, with the addition of a wicked stinger at the end. The 20-mile course will feature a climb soon after the riders push off the starting ramp. As the racers navigate around beautiful lakes and golf courses, they will begin to prepare for the most difficult finish that any Amgen Tour of California time trial course has offered. When the cyclists make their final right hand turn on the route, they will come face-to-face with the climb up Metcalf Road to the finish. This 3-kilometer climb will see the riders gain nearly 1,000 feet in elevation with several pitches over a 10 percent grade.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

# # #

Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Farrar Clenches First Stage Win and First U.S. Rider Victory of 2013 Amgen Tour of California by Sprinting to the Finish Line to Take 4th Stage

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:01:13 PDT

Cyclists Speed into Santa Barbara Amid Attacks and Leader Shake Ups; Acevedo Retains Amgen Leader Jersey through Midpoint of Race

Cyclists Will Race from Santa Barbara to Avila Beach Thursday for Stage 5

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (May 15, 2013) – On the second of three consecutive courses favoring the sprinters, Team Garmin-Sharp jockeyed for position throughout the final miles, sending sprinter Tyler Farrar (Seattle, Wash.) to his first place podium finish, also the first stage win by an American rider during the 2013 Amgen Tour of California. Farrar also claimed a third place podium spot following yesterday’s stage.

“It’s been awhile, so, it feels good to get the monkey off my back,” said Farrar, whose last win came in August 2012 at the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado Springs. “It was a great finish. This was a beautiful setting for a race finish, and I’m happy I won today.”

Ten miles into the 84-mile course from Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara, six riders pulled away from the peloton, where they remained until the final few miles of the race. The youngest rider in the breakaway, Bontrager Cycling Team’s Nathan Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) rode nearly 70 miles in the lead group and was the last to be caught by the peloton, earning him the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey today.

“You’re just doing everything to be the first one to the line. I just put my head down and gave it everything I had,” said Brown. “I was hurting so bad but just had to hang on. There wasn’t much I could do today but I gave it everything.”

The breakaway held out until shortly after passing through Carpinteria when Jens Voigt (GER) of RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK led the attack to catch the riders around the 8-mile mark, followed out of the peloton by UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling’s Lucas Euser (Napa, Calif.). With a unified field and about six miles to the finish, teams took turns on the attack with Team Garmin-Sharp and Cannondale Pro Cycling leading the peloton with about three miles left, waiting for the right time to bring their sprinters to the front for the dash to the finish.

A roundabout on the course with about a mile and a half left to ride resulted in a surprise leap ahead of the pack by Ireland’s national road race champion Matt Brammeier, riding for Champion System, with riders from ORICA GreenEDGE and Cannondale Pro Cycling in hot pursuit.

In the final moments, Team Garmin-Sharp’s strategic riding paid off, with Farrar seizing victory by pulling ahead of Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies’ Ken Hanson (San Diego, Calif.) just before the finish line. Third place for the stage went to Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team’s Gianni Meersman (BEL). Stage 3 winner, Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK), finished in fifth place after falling too far back in the peloton during the final meters to overtake the leaders.

“It was a really fast run into the finish – the last few kilometers were downhill. My team did a really good job taking care of me, and I was able to have the ideal position for the sprint,” said Hanson. “I moved from Santa Barbara this past December. I lived here from 2007 to 2012. This was a really special stage for me, and I’m happy to get on the podium in second place.”

There was no change to the overall leader standings with Team Jamis-Hagens Berman’s Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL) continuing to wear the Amgen Race Leader Jersey tomorrow.

“I’m very happy to continue wearing the yellow jersey every day,” said Acevedo. “It was difficult today; it was a hard stage – high speeds. But in the end my team was helping me to keep the yellow jersey.”

Though he was not on the podium today, Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan was awarded the Visit California Sprint Jersey for his efforts during Stage 4. BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) continues to hold onto the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey for a fourth day, and the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey will continue to be worn by Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old cyclist Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas).

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 114 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

A critical partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

As part of Amgen’s effort to honor and celebrate cancer survivors and to raise awareness about its Breakaway from Cancer initiative, the Santa Barbara finish featured a Breakaway Mile. Santa Barbara cancer survivor Peggy Rantanen has proven to be a “Champion” as a person and as a patient, and also because she represents the unsung “Champions” of women who have been diagnosed with the silent and devastating disease of ovarian cancer. Peggy has inspired family, friends and those she has met with the same diagnosis by being open with her struggles as she’s dealing with her ongoing treatment, yet finding ways to manage and cope and remain positive through the process.

Rantanen was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Kelly Oliner, scientific director of Medical Sciences at Amgen, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

Today’s Breakaway from Cancer activities also featured Santa Clarita resident Nancy Coulter who fired the official start gun to begin the stage, and Rantanen awarded the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey to Bontrager Cycling Team’s Nathan Brown.

For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 5 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY VISIT CALIFORNIA:
Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach (115.4 mi/185.7 km)
Start Time: 11 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:51 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 4:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

A start along the beach in Santa Barbara will see the race retrace much of the route from 2006, but in reverse. This will take the race over the steep and windy San Marcos Pass (Hwy 154) before descending into the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area. A second KOM looms at Foxen Canyon outside of Los Olivos. The race will pass through Santa Maria and the quaint farm town of Guadalupe that gave a warm welcome to the race in 2006. A sprint in Arroyo Grande will foreshadow an expected massive sprint at the finish. Avila Beach is unlike any town the race has visited in its eight years. It has several quaint shops, a beautiful beach and a picturesque harbor. But on May 16, the 1,700 residents will be joined by several thousand race fans to watch the peloton storm down the 200 meters of Front Street to capture the stage win. With a narrow left turn in the final 300 meters of the race and a slight rise in the final meters to the finish, positioning will be crucial to win this stage.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

# # #

Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Sagan Sprints to Victory in the Final Seconds of Stage 3 at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:09:07 PDT

Sagan Nips Matthews at the Wire to Up His Amgen Tour of California Stage Win Record to Nine Following Bunch Sprint to the Finish

Cyclists Will Race from Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara Wednesday for Stage 4

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 14, 2013) – On a course favoring the sprinters, Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK) blasted past ORICA GreenEDGE’s Michael Matthews (AUS) to the front of the pack to claim Stage 3 of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California the length of half a tire. Matthews held on to take second place today after his team led him to the front of the peloton-leaders riders in the last 500 meters.

Sagan broke three-time Champion Levi Leipheimer’s Amgen Tour of California stage win record of seven last year when he took five stage wins. His stage wins at America’s largest cycling race now total nine, including today’s dramatic victory.

“The last three kilometers were crazy with all the sprinters who wanted to win,” said Sagan of today’s finish. “When I won I knew it was a good stage for me.”

After several breakaways on the windy 110-mile course, the peloton came back together in the final 10 kilometers culminating in a tightly packed bunch sprint over the line after several leader changes. Team Garmin-Sharp’s Tyler Farrar (Wenatchee, Wash.) claimed third place in the fast finish. There was no change to the overall standings after today’s stage with Team Jamis-Hagens Berman’s Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL) continuing on in the Amgen Race Leader Jersey tomorrow.

“I felt very tired today after yesterday. The legs never felt good, I just tried to stay in the group, eat, and drink, and recover,” said Acevedo.

Sprint points leader Lieuwe Westra (NED) of Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team was part of the early breakaway that also included RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK’S Andy Schleck (LUX) and Chad Beyer (USA) riding with Champion System Pro Cycling in their debut Amgen Tour of California appearance. Beyer’s role in the breakaway and hold on the lead earned him the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey following the stage.

The peloton caught up to the breakaway with less than 20 kilometers to go, and the final 8 kilometers saw attempts by several teams to bring their sprinters to the front, including Team Saxo-Tinkoff, 5-hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team, BMC Racing Team and UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team.

In the final 5 kilometers, RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK’s Markel Irizar Aranburu (ESP) made a move to the front, with Team Garmin-Sharp and a formidable line of Cannondale Pro Cycling Team members on his heels. Cannondale Pro Cycling Team ultimately succeeded in propelling their team leader the top of the podium.

BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) continues to hold onto the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey for the third day, with Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Lieuwe Westra (NED) also donning the Visit California Sprint Jersey again tomorrow. The Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey will continue to be worn by Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old cyclist Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas).

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 115 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

A critical partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

In honor of cancer survivors everywhere, today local cancer survivor Nancy Eckels was recognized and celebrated as the Breakaway from Cancer Champion. Eckels, who was diagnosed with breast cancer seven months ago, has kept her friends and family apprised of her journey with seriousness, grace, humor and humility. At the same time, she is advocating with insistence that early detection is the key.

Eckels led Amgen’s Breakaway Mile – a special walk that crosses the race finish line to honor the millions of cancer survivors worldwide. During the event, Eckels was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Amgen’s Angela Coxon, executive director of Research, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

Today’s Breakaway Mile was the second of four Breakaway Miles that will take place during the Amgen Tour of California in support of Amgen’s national Breakaway from Cancer initiative, which was created in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the race. The Breakaway from Cancer initiative is designed to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention to survivorship. For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

Today’s Breakaway from Cancer activities also featured Palmdale, Calif., resident and cancer survivor Ben Jefferson who fired the official start gun to begin the stage. Eckels awarded the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey to Champion System’s Chad Beyer.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 4 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY AMGEN’S BREAKAWAY FROM CANCER:
Tuesday, May 14 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara (83.6 mi/134.6 km)
Start Time: 12:35 p.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:50 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 4:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

This is the same route the race has followed in the past, but in reverse. The riders will be looking forward to the warm ocean breeze that awaits them in Santa Barbara at the finish, but they will have their work cut out for them getting there. They will likely face a punishing headwind as they work their way over to the first Sprint in the familiar town of Santa Paula. A sprint in Ojai will be preceded by the KOM and technical descent of Dennison Grade. Past Ojai, the climb up Casitas Pass will give way to long downhill and flat finish along the beach in Santa Barbara. There is no question that this stage will favor the sprinters!

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

# # #

Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Acevedo Attacks in Final Moments of Dramatic Palm Springs Category 1 Climb to Claim stage 2 at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Tue, 14 May 2013 24:56:35 PDT

Cyclists Battle Hotter – and Higher – Elements in Day Two with U.S. Teams Dominating the Podium after Grueling Finish on the Slopes of Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Stage 3 Stretches from Palmdale to Santa Clarita

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (May 13, 2013) – Day two of sunny skies and temperatures reaching 114 degrees at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California took their toll on riders as they strained to the uphill finish on the nearly 124.1-mile course from Murrieta to the desert of Greater Palm Springs this afternoon. A stage for climbers, the final kilometers saw an attack by Team Jamis-Hagens Berman’s Janier Alexis Acevedo (COL) to claim the Amgen Race Leader Jersey, besting BMC Racing Team’s Tejay van Garderen (Boulder, Colo.), who arrived at the finish line 12 seconds back for second place.

“I knew Tejay was the rider to beat. I knew when to attack and felt strong enough to beat him today,” said Acevedo at the post-race press conference. “I think of it (the yellow jersey) every day, and I’m happy to have this win today.”

“He (Acevedo) was super strong out there. When he attacked, I was scared to go into the red because in this heat sometimes if you go over your limit just a little bit, you just can’t recover,” said van Garderen of the final moments of today’s race. A pre-race favorite for the overall title, the first two days of racing have fared well for him and his BMC Racing Team, still in good position to challenge for the championship.

Philip Deignan (IRL) of the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team rounds out the podium with his third-place stage finish today, completing the trifecta for U.S.-based teams in Stage 2. van Garderen’s BMC Racing teammate Mathias Frank (SUI) finished in fourth place, and 2010 Amgen Tour of California champion Michael Rogers (AUS) of Team Saxo-Tinkoff came across the line in fifth after riding at the front of the group for much of the final climb.

“It’s never been this hot in Ireland,” joked third-place finisher Deignan of today’s blazing desert temperatures. “The heat reminds me of the Tour of Spain. But when you race that in August/September, your body is more used to it. The conditions today were a bit of a shock to the riders.”

The tough day of heat and climbing was evident in the time gaps as the peloton continued to fight uphill to the finish line one by one with the final riders finishing more than 37 minutes behind the leader. Temperatures soared to 114 degrees, the hottest temperatures for a major U.S. stage race. Spent cyclists were being assisted past the finish to the team areas to recoup with fluids. In some cases, riders could be seen taking a seat on the pavement wherever they could find a spot near the finish to receive immediate relief from ice packs and cold cloths on their heads and backs. The heat was too much for some, including Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team’s Pieter Serry (BEL), who paused on the final ascent to be cooled with ice in hopes of recovering enough to finish within the time limit to continue racing tomorrow.

NBC Sports Network announcer Paul Sherwen said during today’s live broadcast that “Today, every bike rider who gets to the summit of this climb will know that he has been in a battle.”

After the first two stages, which featured challenging climbs, BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) continues to hold onto the Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey. Though the Aerial Tramway finish led to a yellow jersey change, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Lieuwe Westra (NED) led sprint points for the second day and will begin tomorrow’s race in the Visit California Sprint Jersey. Other jerseys awarded today include: the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey to France’s Sylvain Chavanel of the Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team, and the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey to Bontrager Cycling Team’s 21-year-old cyclist Lawson Craddock (Austin, Texas).

“Being a Best Young Rider is definitely a big goal. We’re a really young team and some couldn’t keep up, but we definitely want to take it to the finish,” said Craddock. “[Today was] brutally hard, and the heat definitely played a factor. [I’m] happy with how I rode and how the whole team rode.”

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is running south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses in race history, 121 elite cyclists (127 riders began the race, though several have been eliminated or abandoned due to time cuts, injury or illness) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

A critical partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as the race title sponsor.

“Amgen wants patients and their caregivers, physicians, and the public to better understand the contributions the biotechnology industry makes toward advances in medicine,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “That’s why Amgen is proud to sponsor the Amgen Tour of California and to continue the Breakaway from Cancer initiative as a vehicle to raise awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship.”

Amgen created the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to its sponsorship of the inaugural Amgen Tour of California. Through Breakaway from Cancer, Amgen and its four nonprofit partners are dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources, and hope. For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

Today’s Breakaway from Cancer activities featured cancer survivor Karen Cannella who fired the official start gun to begin the stage, and Martinez, Calif. resident Matt Orendorff who won AEG’s design contest for the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider Jersey, had the honor of awarding it to Sylvain Chavanel of the Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 3 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY CRUNCHIES FOOD COMPANY:
Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita (110.3 mi/177.5 km)
Start Time: 11:20 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:48 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 4:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

The peloton will regroup for tomorrow’s somewhat flatter ride, which includes four fourth category climbs. While these two cities are familiar hosts, the route covers roads that the race has never traveled. The stage will feature racing through the hills north of Santa Clarita along San Francisquito Canyon and the 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Road. Much of this course will trace the route used by the famous 508-mile Furnace Creek race that is run each summer. The race may break apart on the rolling course but a gradual 18-mile descent down Spunky Canyon and Bouquet Road to the finish will give the peloton a chance to regroup. Don’t be surprised to see a large field sprint during this stage.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

# # #

Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 509-521-2594, ghlatour@golinharris.com

Lieuwe Westra Comes from Behind to Claim Stage 1 in Escondido at 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Sun, 12 May 2013 22:10:05 PDT

Heat and Climbing Prove Decisive Factors as 8-day Professional Cycling Race Takes to the Streets of California for Eighth Annual Edition

Tuesday’s Stage Travels from Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs with Dramatic Finish at Top of Aerial Tramway

ESCONDIDO (May 12, 2013) – The first of eight stages of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California got off to a thrilling – and hot – start today in Escondido, Calif., as Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team’s Lieuwe Westra (NED) held off the charging peloton to capture the Stage 1 victory of American’s biggest professional cycling race.

Today’s stage included more than 11,000 feet of climbing, the most ever for an opening stage in race history. The climbs were the sites of dramatic shake-ups, including a decisive one in the last five kilometers that saw Westra claim the stage victory, as well as the Visit California Sprint Jersey, when, perhaps aided by a tailwind in the final minutes of the race, he embarked on a furious sprint to hold the lead. Second sprint points finisher Francisco Mancebo Perez (ESP) of 5-Hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team will wear the Visit California Sprint Jersey for tomorrow’s stage that begins in Murrieta as Westra will start the stage wearing the yellow Amgen Race Leader Jersey.

“It was a good surprise,” Westra said of the win. As for what that will mean for his team for the rest of the race, “We won a stage, and we have a strong team. We will see.”

Now in its eighth year, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will run south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding in Santa Rosa, Calif., May 19. With one of the most difficult courses yet ahead of them, the 123 elite cyclists (the race began with 127, with four eliminated due to time cuts today) will compete through 12 Host Cities and 60,000 feet of climbing, a record for the race, including a first-time summit finish at Mt. Diablo in the Bay Area.

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, BISSELL Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones (Boulder, Colo.) claimed the first Nissan King of the Mountain Jersey in a stage that will be the first of several where climbs play a crucial role in shaping the podium. The riders had to battle not only each other, but the blazing temperatures, which will continue tomorrow as the race heads from Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs.

"The heat was brutal. Definitely the hardest part of the day. We haven’t done anything like this all year,” said Jones.

The Amgen Tour of California is the largest and most prestigious race in the U.S. and has become known for attracting top international talent. Among the riders at the start line today were the second-ranked cyclist in the world, Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK), who will be looking to increase his hold as the Amgen Tour of California stage win record holder (8); seven world champions including current world road race champion Philippe Gilbert of BMC Racing Team (BEL); 11 current national champions; Tour de France champion Andy Schleck of RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK (2010, LUX) and Amgen Tour of California champion Michael Rogers of Team Saxo-Tinkoff (2010, AUS).

“We’re proud that over the past eight years, we’ve built this race into one of the top cycling events in the world, which was evident on the race course today as we watched a truly world-class field battle it out to the finish in Escondido,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We congratulate Lieuwe Westra on being the first to don the coveted Amgen Race Leader Jersey this year. And, we thank all of our teams, partners and Host Cities for their help making this day possible.”

Other jerseys awarded today include: the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey to 5-Hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team’s James Stemper (Wauwatosa, Wisc.), and the Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey to Jasper Stuyven (BEL) of the Bontrager Cycling Team (USA). Taking second and third stage finish spots on the podium were 5-Hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team’s Francisco Mancebo Perez (ESP) and Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan (SVK) respectively.

"In the last four years with this team, I’ve been making the transition to a road rider. I pride myself on being a great teammate right now. I know I can ride hard for the entire day," said Stemper.

TEAMS ENDEAVOR TO STAY COOL AT THE 2013 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA At the post-stage press conference, the race’s chief medical officer, Ramin Modabber, M.D., related that the average team goes through 120 bottles of water on a stage like today. One director he pulled up next to on the course had gone through 40 bottles (5 per rider) in the first 50 kilometers. Modabber added that riders will consume on average approximately 8 liters of fluid during a stage like today. About half of that is water and the other half would typically include some type of energy/electrolyte solution – too much of either will not replace what is lost and can lead to dramatic reductions in performance.

Other measures taken by riders include ice bags or ice stuffed into socks which are placed down the back of a rider's jersey in order to lower core body temperature – similarly pouring cold water over one’s head/helmet and clothing can further lower core temperature. After the race, the riders will sit in cold baths, pools or showers to further reduce core body temperature when necessary to enhance recovery. The race organizers also take measures to protect the riders from excess heat by allowing them to 'feed' from their team vehicles much earlier in the race than typically allowed to account for the increased consumption of fluids.

A critical partner since the race’s inception, Amgen returns this year as title sponsor of the race.

“Amgen is proud to join AEG for the eighth consecutive year as the title sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California. The race provides Amgen the opportunity to be part of America’s top cycling event while promoting our beautiful state of California and stimulating the local economy,” said Rolf Hoffmann, senior vice president of U.S. Commercial Operations at Amgen. “This race allows Amgen not only the opportunity to be part of a world-class professional cycling event, but also to raise awareness for Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer initiative.”

Amgen created the national Breakaway from Cancer initiative in 2005 as a complementary component to its title sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit organizations – Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For access to resources or to learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com.

Throughout the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, Amgen will honor and celebrate cancer survivors through a variety of events including four Breakaway Mile events, a special walk on the race course that crosses the finish or start line to honor cancer survivors; official race starts; and jersey presentations. In honor of cancer survivors and advocates everywhere, today during the Escondido Breakaway Mile, breast cancer survivor and Escondido resident Sue Martin was recognized and celebrated as the local Breakaway from Cancer Champion. Encouraged by those she has inspired, Sue is writing a book about her successful journey to cancer freedom entitled I Shed Two Tears, then Kicked it with Attitude. During the event in Escondido today, Martin was joined by approximately 150 community members – cancer survivors, patients, caregivers, and advocates – and Amgen’s Joseph P. Miletich, M.D., PhD., senior vice president of Research and Development, who plays a crucial role in developing innovative medicines to treat cancer and other serious illnesses.

There are plenty of ways to take in the racing action through May 19, whether in person on the race course, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

STAGE 2 TOMORROW, PRESENTED BY VISIT CALIFORNIA:
Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs (124.1 mi/199.7 km)
Start Time: 10:20 a.m. PT
Estimated Finish Time: 3:48 p.m. PT
Satellite Feed Time: 4:50 – 5 p.m. PT
(Coordinates can be found at http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/news/media-info.html)

Murrieta is well versed in hosting cycling races. It has been the host city for the popular Tour of Murrieta for several years. This stage will incorporate an entirely new part of California for the race. We will head south through Temecula Valley Wine Country. The riders will then tackle the climb up the San Jacinto Mountains to the small hamlet of Idyllwild (one of the most well-known mountain biking towns in the USA). The race will then descend into Coachella Valley and the towns of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and Palm Springs. The finale of the stage will be contested on the slopes of Tram Way, a 3.6 mile climb near the northern entrance to the Coachella Valley that averages over 9% gradient. This intermediate length climb is expected to produce the first shakeup in the general classification.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.

2013 Field of World-Class Cyclists Announced

Sat, 11 May 2013 24:18:23 PDT

Race Draws World and National Champions, Olympic and Grand Tour Contenders LOS ANGELES (May 10, 2013) – The start list for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California was announced today by AEG, presenter of the race. With 128 riders from 16 elite professional cycling teams, this world-class roster (attached) promises to bring exciting competition to the eighth annual Amgen Tour of California, which kicks off this Sunday, May 12, in Escondido, Calif. The race will run south to north for the first time, covering nearly 750 miles of California’s most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines over eight days, concluding on May 19. “The Amgen Tour of California has developed into one of the best bike races in the world,” said NBC Sports commentator Phil Liggett. “As is our goal every year, the field features a great mix of international and domestic teams, as well as the world’s cycling superstars alongside the next generation of top riders,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We’re thrilled to welcome each and every rider to California for what is going to be the most exciting Amgen Tour of California yet.” “It is a world-class event,” said eight-time Amgen Tour of California veteran and RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK cyclist Jens Voigt. “It is a great race, and that’s one of the reasons I keep coming back here every year. And I still love to be here.” The Amgen Tour of California has become known for attracting top international talent, while also serving as a pinnacle event to develop younger cyclists, especially for domestic teams. “The Amgen Tour of California is obviously the toughest and biggest race in America. So just to be able to compete in it at such a young age and to be here with Bontrager is such an honor,” said 21-year old cyclist Lawson Craddock. The Amgen Tour of California is the largest cycling event in America, and one of the top races in the world. The elite field includes the second-ranked cyclist in the world, Cannondale Pro Cycling’s Peter Sagan, Grand Tour podium finishers, a Tour de France champion, several world champions and 11 current national champions of their countries. All will be competing to take top honors in America’s most prestigious cycling race. Featured riders include: World Champions (7):

Philippe Gilbert, BMC (2012 road race)
Thor Hushovd, BMC (2010 road race, 1998 U23 time trial)
Michael Rogers, TST (2003 – 2005 time trial)
Bert Grabsch, OPQ (2008 time trial)
Cameron Meyer, OGE (2010 madison, team pursuit, points - track; 2011 madison – track; 2012, points race – track)
Michael Hepburn, OGE (2013, 2011-2010 team pursuit – track; 2012-2013 individual pursuit – track)
Michael Morkov, TST (2009 madison – track)

Current National Champions (11):

Timmy Duggan, TST (USA, road)
David Zabriskie, GRS (USA, time trial)
Marc de Maar, UHC (AHO, road race; time trial)
Cameron Meyer, OGE (AUS, time trial)
Ryan Roth, CSS (CAN, road race)
Sylvain Chavanel, OPQ (FRA, time trial)
Matt Brammeier, CSS (IRE, road race)
Peter Sagan, CAN (SVK, road race)
Laurent Didier, RLT (LUX, road race)
Lieuwe Westra, VCD (NED, time trial)
Maciej Bodnar, CAN (POL, time trial)

Tour de France Stage Winners (11):

*Thor Hushovd, BMC (10)
Jens Voigt, RLT (3)
Sylvain Chavanel, OPQ (3)
Andy Schleck, RLT (3)
*Tyler Farrar, GRS (2)
*David Zabriskie, GRS (2)
Philippe Gilbert, BMC (1)
Baden Cooke, OGE (1)
Haimar Zubeldia, RLT (1)
Juan Antonio Flecha, VCD (1)
Matteo Tosatto, TST (1)
*NOTE: includes team time trial wins

Grand Tour Overall Podium Finishers (2):

Andy Schleck, RLT (1st 2010 Tour de France; 2nd 2011, 2009 Tour de France)
Thomas de Gendt, VCD (3rd, 2012 Tour of Italy)

Some other “riders to watch” include the healing heroes taking part in two Amgen Tour of California Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Honor Rides in Escondido and Santa Rosa on race day to support R2R’s mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. And, there are plenty of ways to take in the pro action, whether in person on the race course May 12 – 19, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen. About Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) The mission of Ride 2 Recovery is to improve the health and wellness of healing heroes through mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. In 2013, R2R is partnering with the Amgen Tour of California, featuring three ATOC Honor Rides to help raise funds. Palmdale, Escondido and Santa Rosa are the host cities, where cyclists ride parts of the professional cycling course, cross the actual finish line in Escondido on May 12 and Santa Rosa on May 19, and importantly, ride alongside healing heroes on a non-competitive, fun ride. For more information, visit www.ride2recovery.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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 213-438-8888, etanner@golinharris.com

2013 Promises an Exciting Eight Days of Racing

Thu, 09 May 2013 09:12:50 PDT

From World Champions to Olympians, Most Competitive Field in Eight Editions Features International and U.S. Cycling Superstars and Up-and-Comers LOS ANGELES (May 8, 2013) – When the world’s most elite cyclists take the start line at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road race in Escondido May 12, fans will spot some of the most notable professional cyclists from around the world. From veterans with multiple world titles under their belts to the leaders of the next generation of American cyclists, the peloton will be packed with fan favorites and a lot of talent. "For the past eight years, the Amgen Tour of California has consistently drawn the top teams and competitors to race in California, the caliber of which hasn’t been seen in America in decades," said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. "We’re proud to have created an event that not only showcases the best in the world, but also gives young U.S. athletes a world stage on which to compete and grow to become the next cycling superstars." Over the past seven years, the race has become the largest cycling event in America, and is now one of the top races in the world. Whether competing for the overall title, or vying to shake things up on the course for a stage win, some of the most exciting moments of racing are expected from: General Classification (Overall Contenders)

Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
David Zabriskie (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Michael Rogers (AUS), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Andy Schleck (LUX), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK
Timmy Duggan (USA), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Thomas De Gendt (BEL), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Francisco Mancebo (ESP), 5-Hour ENERGY presented by

Climbers

Andy Schleck (LUX), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK
Markel Irizar Aranburu (ESP), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK
Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
Amael Moinard (FRA), BMC Racing Team
Timmy Duggan (USA), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Francisco Mancebo (ESP), 5-Hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team
Mathias Frank (SUI), BMC Racing Team
Chris Butler (USA), Champion System Pro Cycling Team
Haimar Zubeldia (ESP), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK

Sprinters

Peter Sagan (SVK), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Tyler Farrar (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Thor Hushovd (NOR), BMC Racing Team
Cameron Meyer (AUS) ORICA GreenEDGE
Baden Cooke (AUS) ORICA GreenEDGE
J.J. Haedo (ARG), Team Jamis-Hagens Berman
Jacobe Keough (USA), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Frank Pipp (USA), BISSELL Pro Cycling
Lawson Craddock (USA), Bontrager Cycling Team
Lieuwe Westra (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Boy van Poppel (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Stage Wins (One-Day Strongmen)
Peter Sagan (SVK), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Jens Voigt (GER), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK
Cameron Meyer (AUS), ORICA GreenEDGE
Johan Van Summeren (BEL), Team Garmin-Sharp
Philippe Gilbert (BEL), BMC Racing Team
Brent Bookwalter (USA), BMC Racing Team
Brian Vandborg (DEN), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Time Trialists

Jens Voigt (GER), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK
David Zabriskie (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Bert Grabsch (GER), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
Brent Bookwalter (USA), BMC Racing Team
Cameron Meyer (AUS), ORICA GreenEDGE
Jeremy Vennell (NZL), BISSELL Pro Cycling
Tom Zirbel (USA), Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA), Team Jamis-Hagens Berman
Marco Pinotti (ITA), BMC Racing Team

Some other "riders to watch" include the healing heroes taking part in two Amgen Tour of California Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Honor Rides in Escondido and Santa Rosa on race day to support R2R’s mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. And, there are plenty of ways to take in the pro action, whether in person on the race course May 12 – 19, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen. About Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) The mission of Ride 2 Recovery is to improve the health and wellness of healing heroes through mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. In 2013, R2R is partnering with the Amgen Tour of California, featuring three ATOC Honor Rides to help raise funds. Palmdale, Escondido and Santa Rosa are the host cities, where cyclists ride parts of the professional cycling course, cross the actual finish line in Escondido on May 12 and Santa Rosa on May 19, and importantly, ride alongside healing heroes on a non-competitive, fun ride. For more information, visit www.ride2recovery.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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. # # # Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris, 213-438-8888, etanner@golinharris.com

Breakaway From Cancer Challenge

Mon, 06 May 2013 20:53:58 PDT

Amgen's Breakaway From Cancer Elite Masters Cycling team will once again be riding each stage of the upcoming Amgen Tour of California, America's greatest race. The team hits each stage route before the pro peloton to promote awareness for Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer© initiative. Breakaway from Cancer® is a complimentary component to Amgen's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients. "This is always a very special week for our team and we look forward to the challenge", says team member Malcolm Hill. "Most of us have some direct connection to someone affected by cancer. Raising awareness to Breakaway From Cancer and the resources it provides to those in the fight is an important commitment for our team. We encourage our masters racing community to join us on one or more stages." This year's race includes almost 550 miles and 45,000 of vertical in the first five stages alone. There is also a finish atop Mount Diablo and a crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge. At select finish cities, the team will take part in the Breakaway Mile, a special walk to honor cancer survivors worldwide. The walk includes local Breakaway From Cancer Champions who have made a difference in their community and have inspired others. The Champions will be joined by their support team members, including care givers, family members and healthcare professionals who support their fight against cancer. Team members participating in some or all of the 2013 edition of the Breakaway Challenge rides include Thurlow Rogers, Richard Meeker, Keith Ketterer, Malcolm Hill, Roy Knickman, Brett Clair, Robb Mesecher, Bert Glennon, Steve Klasna and Wayne Stetina. The BFC team will also be joined by Ambassador team member Neil Shirley for the first two stages.

NBC Sports Group Returns as Live Broadcast Partner

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:25:02 PDT

Fans Worldwide Can Follow America’s Greatest Cycling Race through Live Broadcasts or Online and on Mobile Devices Via the Free Tour Tracker LOS ANGELES (May 1, 2013) – When the 2013 Amgen Tour of California begins Sunday, May 12, cycling fans in more than 200 countries and territories will once again have the opportunity to tune in to the action and excitement on NBC and NBC Sports Network as well as via the race’s exclusive international network of broadcast partners. Kicking off their coverage on Sunday, May 5, NBC Sports Network airs an exclusive race preview show. Beginning Sunday, May 12, NBC Sports Network launches its live HD coverage of the race and continues with exclusive coverage of daily highlights every evening during the eight-day competition. Live coverage of the final day of racing airs on NBC with the final stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California Sunday, May 19 at 1-3 p.m. ET. Viewers tuning into America’s most prestigious road cycling race, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, will see 128 of the best cyclists in the world battle it out across nearly 750 miles of picturesque California highways, roadways and coastlines. “We are pleased that NBC Sports Group will be retuning as our broadcast partner this year,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “One of our primary goals is to bring new fans to the sport of cycling, and the exposure and promotion that NBC and NBC Sports Network deliver means that viewers across the country can tune into one of the most exciting stage races of the season, whether to discover the sport or to cheer on their favorite teams and cyclists. NBC’s coverage last year showed American sports fans the excitement, beauty and drama of cycling in a compelling way never before seen. The real winners were fans of cycling and fans of the Amgen Tour of California.” The television schedule for the 2013 Amgen Tour of California on NBC Sports Network (and the final day live on NBC) follows: • Sunday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. EDT/2:30 p.m. PDT on NBC Sports Network: Preview show • Sunday, May 12 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 1, Presented by Nissan – Escondido • Monday, May 13 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 2, Presented by Visit California – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs • Tuesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 3, Presented by Crunchies Food Company – Palmdale to Santa Clarita • Wednesday, May 15 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 4, Presented by Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara • Thursday, May 16 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 5, Presented by Visit California – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach • Friday, May 17 at 5 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. PDT live on NBC Sports Network: Stage 6 – San Jose Time Trial – men’s and women’s divisions • Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. EDT/4 p.m. PDT on NBC Sports Network: Stage 7, Presented by Nissan – Livermore to Mt. Diablo • Sunday, May 19 at 1 p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT live on NBC: Stage 8, Presented by Amgen – San Francisco to Santa Rosa In addition to the live broadcasts on NBC and NBC Sports Network, cycling fans will have real-time updates at their fingertips via the official Tour Tracker platform available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. For the seventh year running, the Tour Tracker will deliver race coverage across web, mobile and tablet viewing platforms including live video, audio and real-time data streams with proven technology that has been enjoyed by more than 1 million viewers. The premier app for up-to-the-minute, comprehensive information on the largest cycling competition in America can be downloaded free of charge for iPhone, iPad and Android devices via iTunes, Google Play and the Apple and Android app stores. Through this technology, race enthusiasts will be able to watch the eight-day competition unfold live and also receive access to exclusive merchandise offers through a special barcode in the app. This year’s enhanced Tour Tracker will offer cycling fans the following ways to stay up to speed on the 2013 Amgen Tour of California: • Live coverage of the final two hours of the race each day – new this year, an audio-only option • Full start-to-finish coverage via GPS, race situation and up-to-the-minute text commentary throughout the race • Video on demand clips of the race and stage recaps after each day’s finish • Web DVR features such as stop and rewind on live coverage • Photo gallery with images from the race • Maps and profiles with live location of the peloton, breaks and chase groups • Current race situational information, including overalls standings, time gaps and what cyclists are in breaks and chases • Time Trial start list and split times • Enhanced rider information • Stage overviews and information including maps, profile, distance, elevation, etc. The Amgen Tour of California continues to draw global attention as one of the most anticipated cycling events of the year – one that attracts Olympic medalists, World Champions and the top Tour de France competitors. For further information about the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, including specific broadcast times and Tour Tracker information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. About NBC Sports Network NBC Sports Network, part of the NBC Sports Group, is dedicated to serving passionate sports fans. Now in more than 80 million homes, the network is the cable television home of the Summer and Winter Olympics, National Hockey League (NHL), Major League Soccer (MLS), IZOD IndyCar Series, Tour de France and the 34th America’s Cup, and the Premier League and Formula One. In addition, NBC Sports Network features college football, college basketball, college hockey, cycling, outdoor programming, horse racing surrounding the Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup, Fight Night boxing, Ironman, the Dew Action Sports Tour and USA Sevens Rugby. The network is also home to original programs such as Costas Tonight, The Crossover, NFL Turning Point, Pro Football Talk and The Dan Patrick Show. NBC Sports Network is distributed via cable systems and satellite operators throughout the United States. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

From VIP Experiences to a Traveling Lifestyle Festival - Fans Can Get Front and Center for America's Greatest Race

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:57:27 PDT

LOS ANGELES (April 25, 2013) – The 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race brings with it the opportunity for fans to immerse themselves in the world of cycling during the eight-day race May 12-19, 2013. From the Lifestyle Festival that travels to a new host city each day to special VIP Experiences that provide unprecedented access inside the race, including access to the riders, there is something for everyone, from budding fan to avid cyclist. The 2013 Amgen Tour of California will cover nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines. While the annual race will feature the world’s elite road racers, fans don't have to be cyclists to enjoy the race – the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, perfect for all interest levels and ages, provides a day of entertainment and fun for the whole family. The Lifestyle Festival, located near the finish line at each stage, is the perfect destination for fans who arrive early to interact with sponsors, vendors and other enthusiasts while they wait for the cyclists to cross the finish line later in the day. As the official gathering point for all participants, spectators and vendors, the day-long festival will feature cycling products and demos, cancer awareness education, family activities, food, entertainment and more. Visitors can congregate among fellow race watchers, take in live music, grab lunch or a beverage in the beer garden, watch the race live on outdoor video screens, and participate in a bike safety clinic to get ready to hit the road after seeing the pros cross the finish line. For avid cycling fans looking to create the ultimate race-day memory, short of turning pro, you can't get any closer to the action than Amgen Tour of California VIP Experiences. These limited edition hospitality packages are the only way to get on the course and behind the scenes during a stage of America's Greatest Race:

VIP Car Ride ($1,500 - $2,500): Experience the crowd, the course and the excitement the way the riders do by following the peloton on the route in an official race vehicle. Arrive ahead of the cyclists and watch them race to the finish line from the VIP Suite, then follow the stage winners to the official post-race press conference, which is otherwise closed to the public.

Finish Line Experience ($1,000): This exclusive "behind the scenes" VIP Experience provides access to the official media compound, backstage to watch the award presentations from the green room, and to the post-race press conference where the stage winners recap the day.

Both packages include VIP hospitality access and an official race leader jersey and hat. “Furthering the sport of cycling in America as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle are paramount goals of the Amgen Tour of California,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “The Lifestyle Festival and VIP Experiences provide an opportunity for us to involve even more people in cycling, as well as make it possible for fans to have a very personal and memorable experience, whether their first or eighth time at the race.” More information about the Lifestyle Festival and VIP Experiences is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. Email atoctickets@amgentourofcalifornia.com to purchase VIP Experiences. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

Amgen Tour of California Reveals 2013 Race Jerseys

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:24:52 PDT

Custom Jerseys from Champion System Will Carry Leader Names for Each Stage, Including Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey Designed by Northern California Resident LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2013) – The leader jersey lineup for the upcoming 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race has been unveiled by race operator AEG. A long-standing tradition in professional cycling, special race jerseys will be awarded daily to overall race leaders in several categories. New to the race this year, each award jersey from Champion System, the official jersey partner of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, will carry the last name of the cyclist wearing it during competition – believed to be a first for any professional cycling race. Earlier this month, Martinez, Calif. resident Matt Orendorff won AEG’s design contest for the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey, chosen from a pool of submissions and determined by a panel of judges. Orendorff’s winning design, which will be featured in the race, prominently features the Breakaway from Cancer logo and a clean, sharp race-inspired design. His prize package includes a trip for him and one guest to one stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP Hospitality passes, a race merchandise package, and the opportunity to meet the Most Courageous Rider winner of the stage following the awards ceremony. “Leader jerseys are one of the great traditions of cycling,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “In the past seven editions of the Amgen Tour of California, we’ve seen some epic performances from the cyclists who have been awarded these top honors. I look forward to seeing how this year’s competition unfolds.” “We wanted to create something for the Amgen Tour of California that brought our philosophy of customer unique branding to these leader jerseys. Each leader of each category will be wearing their personal branded jersey with their name on it, sporting a unique piece of this year's race history,” said Scott Kaylin, president of Champion System. The 2013 Amgen Tour of California, which will cover nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12 – 19, will feature the world’s elite cyclists vying for these six leader jerseys:

Amgen Race Leader Jersey: The coveted yellow jersey is awarded daily to the rider with the lowest cumulative time over the entire race. The rider wearing this jersey often changes from stage to stage as each day’s results are added into the equation. It is possible for a rider to win the Amgen Race Leader Jersey without winning a daily stage since the jersey takes into account overall times.

Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey: This special and traditional jersey will be awarded daily to the cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance.

Nissan King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey: The 2013 race is characterized by a great deal of climbing, and this jersey goes to the peloton’s strongest climber. A cyclist earns this jersey by collecting points at designated King of the Mountain (KOM) locations located at the tops of mountains and hills. Only the first three cyclists to reach the top on rated climbs receive points towards this award.

Visit California Sprint Jersey: The Sprint Jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are given based on Sprint Line performances as well as finishing the stage in the top-15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of power and speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear the respected green jersey.

Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey: Crunchies, “Nature’s Ultimate Snack Food,” is a first-time sponsor of this sought-after Best Young Rider jersey. It will be awarded on the podium daily to the rider under age 24 with the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race to that point. This jersey is an easy way to spot rising cycling stars.

For fans who covet race-day looks, official Amgen Tour of California leader jerseys and a limited edition race jersey are available exclusively at www.amgentourofcaliforniastore.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

Amgen Tour of California Jersey Design Contest Winner Revealed

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 09:24:34 PDT

Northern Californian Matt Orendorff Creates 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2013) – Martinez, California resident Matt Orendoff has been selected as the winning designer of the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. It was announced by Kristin Bachochin, Race Director of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race and Vice President of AEG Sports, presenters of the annual international cycling event. This special and traditional jersey is awarded after each of the race’s eight stages to the professional cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance. Earlier this year, AEG sponsored a design contest for the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Orendorff’s artwork prominently features the Breakaway from Cancer logo and a clean, sharp race-inspired design. It was chosen from a pool of submissions and determined by the following criteria: creativity (50 percent), use of colors and elements (25 percent), and choice of theme (25 percent). Official jersey supplier Champion System will produce this specially designed jersey, and CREATE.IT, a crowdsourced talent discovery platform, is the online promotional partner that hosted the contest. A Chico State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English, Orendorff began his career in publishing before transitioning into print and graphic design. He works mainly on bicycling-related jobs for local bike shops and racing clubs. "As a lifelong cyclist, aspiring designer, and the son of a cancer survivor, I am very proud and excited that my design was chosen as the winner of the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous jersey contest," said Orendorff. "I hope that the professionals who wear it, the fans along the race route and anyone whose life has been touched by cancer are all inspired by my design to race harder, cheer louder and find the courage to beat cancer." The prize package includes a trip for Orendorff and one guest to one stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP Hospitality passes to the respective stage of the race, an Amgen Tour of California merchandise package, and the opportunity to meet the Most Courageous Rider winner of the stage following the awards ceremony. "Amgen’s goal with Breakaway from Cancer is to raise awareness of the resources available for those touched by cancer – from prevention through survivorship," said Bob Azelby, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. "Amgen is committed to helping those with cancer, and the Most Courageous Rider Jersey contest is another way to reach into the community and connect with those impacted by the disease. Matt created a relevant and interesting design and we look forward to seeing which cyclists earn the jersey during the race this May." The 2013 Amgen Tour of California is set to cover approximately 750 miles from southern to northern California May 12 – 19, and will feature United Cycling International (UCI) Pro, Pro Continental and Continental squads. The 16 world-class teams chosen to participate in the eighth annual race will include Olympic medalists, Tour de France competitors and the reigning world champion. Fans can purchase the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey exclusively at http://amgentourofcaliforniastore.com/. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, 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, 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad 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 vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen. About Breakaway from Cancer® Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer® is a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/breakawaycancer. About Champion System Champion System, a worldwide leader in custom technical apparel, was founded in 2005 and has quickly earned the reputation as a company offering the finest quality handmade garments for a wide range of sports and activities. Strong customer relationships and close collaboration with the world's top athletes has been the key to Champion System’s success. Our distinctive and stylish garments are worn by Olympians, National and World Champions, and recreational athletes of all levels. Our goal is to allow the customer to be their own brand and we are known far and wide for our solid commitment to pioneering innovative, race-proven garments that can be customized with virtually any design. Along the way we have revolutionized sublimation printing, redefined garment construction and simplified the custom ordering process. With offices in 20 countries Champion System continues to set the standard in the custom apparel industry. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. About CREATE.IT www.CREATE.IT is a talent identification platform To brands, CREATE.IT is an earned media engine for discovering influencers To talent, CREATE.IT is a place to express creativity & develop influence Media Contacts: Breakaway from Cancer Alison Colarossi, 916-600-2743, ali@estatecrush.com Amgen Tour of California Steven Bram, 213-438-8818, sbram@golinharris.com

Escondido to Host Charity Gala

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:16:44 PDT

Race Festivities Begin with May 10 Team Presentation and Charity Benefit LOS ANGELES (March 25, 2013) – The City of Escondido and AEG will host the Official 2013 Amgen Tour of California Team Presentation and Gala on Friday, May 10, 2013, at Escondido’s California Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Titled "Escondido Out Front," the evening will showcase the best of local entertainment, attractions and cuisine, and serve to introduce the teams and riders who will race in the eighth annual Amgen Tour of California, which begins in Escondido May 12. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer® initiative — a complementary component to Amgen’s race sponsorship that celebrates cancer survivors and raises awareness about the free support services available to people affected by cancer. The Amgen Tour of California is the nation’s most prestigious professional cycling stage race. This year’s edition will feature 16 teams competing through nearly 750 miles of California’s most iconic roads, bridges and towns, with 12 cities hosting race starts and finishes from May 12-19. The race will run south to north for the first time this year, with the overall start beginning at 11:15 a.m. in Escondido. The gala provides the Escondido community and southern California cycling enthusiasts the unique opportunity to meet and mingle with the world-class cyclists competing in the race. The racers are the world’s elite, from the ranks of Olympians, world champions, national champions and Tour de France contenders. "The official Gala and Team Presentation has become one of the great traditions of the Amgen Tour of California. It’s not only a special event for the fans that are lucky enough to attend, but it’s also an evening that is memorable for the athletes as well," said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. "It’s the first time competitors formally come face to face, as well as meet the race fans, and the riders begin to get amped up for the race ahead. It’s a highlight of the race experience for any cycling fan, not to mention the riders themselves." The evening will include a local wine tasting reception with the opportunity to meet some very special "guests" from the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind items in a silent auction, a seated dinner featuring local cuisine and perfectly paired wines, capped off by the official team presentation. "This is the first gala event of this magnitude to take place on the Concert Hall Stage," said Jennifer Nichols, gala chair. "The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is thrilled to be hosting the kickoff event for the Overall Start in Escondido." The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the California Center for the Arts Concert Hall. Tickets are $125 with a 10 percent discount on purchases of three or more. Table sponsorships are available for $1,500. For tickets and information, contact Jennifer Nichols, Gala Chair jnichols@escondido.org. For additional information on weekend events leading to the Amgen Tour of California start in Escondido, visit www.amgen2013escondido.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad 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. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

World's Top Women Cyclists Selected to Compete in 2013 Women's Time Trial Race

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:14:36 PDT

LOS ANGELES (March 18, 2013) – Race organizer AEG has confirmed participants for the third annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM, which will begin in San Jose at 12:45 p.m. Friday, May 17. This year’s invitation-only event will showcase 15 riders, including several event veterans, from the ranks of Olympians, world champions, national champions, and champions of other prestigious cycling events. The women’s race is an ancillary event of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California 8-day cycling stage race, and will take place prior to the men’s Stage 6 individual time trial, using the same course the men will ride later that day. The race against the clock will be headlined by riders from top women’s teams, including Specialized-lululemon, TIBCO, Exergy Twenty16, NOW and Novartis for MS, Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, and Vanderkitten, as well as several individual racers. “As the largest stage race in the country, the Amgen Tour of California provides a unique opportunity to highlight the many facets of cycling,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We are honored to host another worldwide showcase for the best women in the sport today, and to provide even more depth and thrills for the millions of fans who will tune in that week.” The full Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race roster includes:

Exergy Twenty16: Alison Tetrick (USA), Mara Abbott (USA) and Kristin McGrath (USA)
NOW and Novartis for MS: Alison Powers (USA) and Robin Farina (USA)
Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies: Jade Wilcoxson (USA) and Brianna Walle (USA)
Specialized-lululemon: Evelyn Stevens (USA) and Ina-Yoko Teutenberg (GER)
TIBCO: Jasmin Glaesser (CAN) and Meredith Miller (USA)
Vanderkitten: Rhae Shaw (CAN)
Katie Compton (USA)
Amber Neben (USA)
Julie Dibens (GBR)

For additional rider information, please visit: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Peloton/womens-tt.html The Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race will offer a $10,000 prize, as well as potentially help shape the outcome for another important race on the women’s calendar – the USA Cycling Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships on May 25 in Chattanooga, TN. “It’s thrilling to ride in such a coveted event as the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race,” said Kurt Stockton, Team Director and Race Team Manager, NOW and Novartis for MS Women's Pro Cycling Team. “As an added bonus, the full-length course is the ideal preparation for the 19 miles that will determine the 2013 U.S. Time Trial Champion – you can bet riders will be fine tuning and putting in every ounce as they prepare for that competition.” The San Jose time trial is a 19.6-mile course that begins on Bailey Avenue and features a climb soon after the riders push off the start ramp. As the racers navigate around beautiful lakes and golf courses, they will prepare for the most difficult finish posed by any Amgen Tour of California time trial course. Once they make the final right turn on the route, they will face the strenuous, three kilometer climb up Metcalf Road to the finish at Metcalf Motorcycle Park. The riders will gain nearly 1,000 feet in elevation and attack several pitches with a grade of 10 percent or more. “The time trial in San Jose is going to be a real test,” said Specialized-lululemon rider Evelyn Stevens, who competed in the 2012 Olympic Games. “They saved the best for last on this course – the climb to the finish line will definitely be a feat to tackle with so much elevation gain so quick. It will be awesome to watch and participate in.” Fans who cannot attend the race in person will be able to tune into the racing excitement and see real-time results from the women’s and men’s races on the Tour Tracker at www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad 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. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

Sixteen Teams Selected to Compete

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:52:48 PST

Most Competitive Field Yet Assembled for America’s Eighth Annual Premier Cycling Race; Lineup to Include Gilbert, Horner, Sagan, van Garderen and Farrar LOS ANGELES (March 7, 2013) – Amgen Tour of California organizers have selected 16 teams from among the best international and domestic squads to compete in the country’s largest professional road cycling stage race May 12-19, 2013. With full rosters yet to be announced, the field will include Olympic medalists, Tour de France competitors and the reigning world champion. This year’s event will be headlined by eight of the world’s top ranking Pro Teams along with UCI Pro Continental and Continental squads, collectively representing nine countries. Included among the American teams are the top two U.S. Pro Teams: BMC Racing Team of Santa Rosa, Calif., whose roster includes current world road champion Philippe Gilbert of Belgium, and eight-time* participant Team Garmin-Sharp of Denver, which will be defending its record-setting three Overall Team Standings wins. Returning for their sixth year of California competition are Belgium's top team Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team and Italy’s top professional team Cannondale Pro Cycling. Other top World Tour teams selected include perennial powerhouse RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK of Luxembourg, whose roster includes 2011 Amgen Tour of California champion Chris Horner of Bend, Ore., Australia's top team ORICA-GreenEDGE, Denmark's top professional team Team Saxo-Tinkoff, and Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team from the Netherlands. “The Amgen Tour of California consistently attracts the world’s elite teams and riders, and has become one of the most important races on the international calendar,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “With our eighth edition this year, we are honored to again host one of the top fields ever assembled in a spectacular showcase for cycling fans in California and around the world.” UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team of Oakland, Calif., the top American-based Pro Continental team, will compete alongside Germany's Team NetApp - Endura and China's top squad Champion System Pro Cycling Team in their Amgen Tour of California debut. Also announced to the lineup are some of the United States' top Continental squads: BISSELL Pro Cycling, the winningest team in the National Racing Calendar (NRC) in 2012; Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies; Team Jamis – Hagens Berman; Bontrager Cycling Team; and 5-hour Energy presented by Kenda Racing. “This year's Amgen Tour of California will be awesome,” said Peter Sagan, Cannondale Pro Cycling, winner of five stages at the 2012 Amgen Tour of California. “I had an amazing experience last year and from the looks of the route this year, there are some incredible stages and sprints I can't wait to take on.” Several teams returning this year have made many prior appearances, including seven-time participant BMC Racing Team, which in addition to Gilbert, will race Tejay van Garderen, the top American finisher in the 2012 Tour de France (5th overall). “The Amgen Tour of California is a big objective of mine because it's not very often that we get to race in front of a home crowd. So I'm really going to relish that,” said Tejay van Garderen, BMC Racing Team. “If we can go into the hometown of the BMC Racing Team (Santa Rosa) on the last day in the leader’s jersey, that would be a special feeling. I'd love to be able to do that and to pay back the team for the support it's given to me. To get the reception of the crowd in a situation like that would definitely be a career highlight.” The race will wind through some of California’s most demanding – and scenic – roads and serve as a preview of key contests, including the Tour de France. This year, worldwide fans will get a new perspective on nearly 750-mile course. In February, organizers announced that for the first time, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will run from south to north and provide new challenges for the athletes. “As the biggest stage race in the U.S., the Amgen Tour of California continues to provide our cyclists with a challenging and exciting competition, and our North American and Asian athletes are looking forward to the test,” said Ed Beamon, General Manager, Champion System Pro Cycling Team. “This year will be over-the-top, literally, with several grueling climbs and a mountaintop finish at Mount Diablo.” The race will begin in Escondido on May 12, north of San Diego proper, and will conclude on May 19 in Santa Rosa in the San Francisco Bay Area. Teams will cover a full range of challenging terrain as they speed through some of California’s most majestic and iconic highways, bridges, roadways and coastlines to claim stages in 12 official host cities. “Every year the organizers of the Amgen Tour of California take it up a notch with a route that challenges cyclists and gives fans an incredible event,” said Team Garmin-Sharp’s Tyler Farrar, an elite cyclist who has won stages at all three Grand Tours. “I’m really looking forward to racing again on the West Coast with some of the best riders in the world, and I’m excited about this year’s route, especially the Santa Barbara stage and the final stage in Santa Rosa.” "The Amgen Tour of California is the jewel of U.S. racing. I'm very excited that the 5-hr Energy presented by Kenda Racing Team will compete in this year's race,” said Frankie Andreu, the team’s Director Sportif. “The new route will be challenging and should be great for the fans. We look forward to taking our shot at winning one of the stages or a coveted jersey." Also this year, the third annual Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race, presented by SRAM, will take place in San Jose on Friday, May 17, just prior to the men’s Stage 6 individual time trial. The invitation-only women’s time trial will use the same course as the men and will offer a $10,000 prize. The 2013 Amgen Tour of California roster includes: UCI ProTeams:

BMC Racing Team, USA
Cannondale Pro Cycling, Italy
Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team, Belgium
ORICA GreenEDGE, Australia
RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK, Luxembourg
Team Garmin-Sharp, USA
Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Denmark
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team, The Netherlands

UCI Professional Continental Teams:

Champion System Pro Cycling Team, China
Team NetApp-Endura, Germany
UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, USA

UCI Continental Teams:

5-hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team, USA
BISSELL Pro Cycling, USA
Bontrager Cycling Team, USA
Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies, USA
Team Jamis – Hagens Berman, USA

Cycling fans can experience the excitement of America’s biggest professional stage race up close and personal by becoming a race volunteer. Race organizers are looking to fill nearly 5,000 volunteer positions. Registration and further information about the various duties available are now online at www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information, please visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad 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. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. *Many teams reflected as repeat participants have reorganized under different names. Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com Steven Bram, GolinHarris 213-438-8818 sbram@golinharris.com

2013 Amgen Tour of California Route Announced

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:23:44 PST

For the First Time, America’s Greatest Cycling Race Will Travel South to North, Beginning in Escondido and Crossing Beaches, Deserts, Mountains, Golden Gate Bridge LOS ANGELES (February 12, 2013) – Changing direction for the first time in its eight-year history from south to north, America’s largest and most prestigious professional cycling stage race, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, will bring riders and spectators first-time destinations, unprecedented climbs and demanding sprints on the approximately 750-mile course. Amgen returns as the title sponsor for the heralded 8-stage race, set for May 12 to 19, 2013. Beginning with a circuit in Escondido, the route will run through 13 official host cities and include a first-time finish at the top of Mount Diablo, the 3,864-foot peak in the San Francisco Bay area. The race’s last stage will begin along the San Francisco Bay and continue across the Golden Gate Bridge, where a rolling traffic break will give cyclists uninterrupted access for the six-minute crossing. Two new cities join the race route roster: Greater Palm Springs and Murrieta will host Stage 2, which will include an intense finish up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, one of the toughest climbs anywhere with an 1,880-foot elevation gain in the last four miles. Two other firsts: Escondido and Santa Rosa will become the first cities in race history to have hosted both an overall start and an overall finish. “We take great pride in creating challenging, beautiful Amgen Tour of California routes that attract top international riders and showcase the state’s amazing terrain and scenery,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We also consider the many fan and rider route suggestions before we settle on a final course. This year will be not only the most competitive but the most spectacular with diverse California scenery, from coastal routes to mountain vistas.” As one of the most anticipated professional cycling races on the international calendar, the Amgen Tour of California draws top cyclists from the ranks of Olympic medalists, Tour de France competitors and world champions including BMC Racing Team’s current world road champion Philippe Gilbert. The 2013 Amgen Tour of California will feature the following highlights*: Stage 1, Presented by Nissan: Sunday, May 12 – Escondido Start/Finish Location: Broadway and Grand Ave. Start Time: 11:15 a.m. Stage Length: 104.3 miles Expect huge crowds as the Amgen Tour of California returns to San Diego County for the first time since 2009, when record numbers greeted the tour along the course and at the start and finish cities of Rancho Bernardo and Escondido. The 2013 route will include a climb up Mount Palomar, an effort that is often compared to the arduous Alpe d'Huez at the Tour de France. Stage 2, Presented by Visit California: Monday, May 13 – Murrieta to Greater Palm Springs Start Location: Murrieta City Hall/Town Square Park Finish Location: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Start Time: 10:20 a.m. Stage Length: 126.1 miles Well versed in staging cycling races, Murrieta has been the host city for the popular Tour of Murrieta for several years. Incorporating a new part of California into the race, this stage will wind south through Temecula Valley Wine Country. Then the riders will tackle the climb up the San Jacinto Mountains to the hamlet of Idyllwild, one of the country’s top mountain biking destinations, before descending into the Coachella Valley and the towns of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City and Palm Springs. The stage will finish spectacularly as riders climb Tramway Road to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway parking lot. The last 3.8 miles of the race will gain 1,880 feet of elevation – one of the toughest climbs anywhere. Stage 3: Tuesday, May 14 – Palmdale to Santa Clarita Start Location: Marie Kerr Park Finish Location: Magic Mountain Parkway Start Time: 11:20 a.m. Stage Length: 111.8 miles The race will return to host cities Palmdale and Santa Clarita, but will traverse entirely new roads. The stage will feature the 22-mile climb up Lake Hughes Road and follow the route of the famous Furnace Creek 508, the ultra-endurance race through Santa Clarita. The peloton will likely break apart on the massive climb, but an 18-mile descent to the finish will give the riders a chance to regroup and mount a large field sprint toward the finish line. Stage 4: Wednesday, May 15 – Santa Clarita to Santa Barbara Start Location: Theater Drive and Town Center Finish Location: Cabrillo Blvd. Start Time: 12:35 p.m. Stage Length: 84.7 miles Veteran Amgen Tour of California racers will recognize this stage from past races, but they’ll be riding it in reverse. After the desert terrain of Stage 3, they’ll welcome ocean breezes as they descend to the finish in coastal Santa Barbara. They’ll have their work cut out for them: punishing headwinds are a regular feature along the route to Santa Paula, site of the first sprint of the stage. A sprint in Ojai will be preceded by the K.O.M. and technical descent of Dennison Grade. Past Ojai, the climb up Casitas Pass will give way to long downhill and flat finish along the beach in Santa Barbara. There is no question that this stage will favor the sprinters. Stage 5, Presented by Visit California: Thursday, May 16 – Santa Barbara to Avila Beach Start Location: Cabrillo Blvd. Finish Location: Front St. Start Time 11 a.m. Stage Length: 116.4 miles A start along the beach in Santa Barbara will see the race retrace much of its 2006 route, but in reverse order. The riders will continue over the steep and windy San Marcos Pass along state Route 154 before descending into the Lake Cachuma Recreation Area. The racers will then tackle Foxen Canyon Road outside of Los Olivos and pass through Orcutt and the quaint farm town of Guadalupe, which gave the race a warm welcome in 2006. A sprint in Arroyo Grande will foreshadow an anticipated massive sprint to the finish in Avila Beach, which offers a picturesque harbor, quaint shops, a beautiful beach and the opportunity for its 1,700 residents to join thousands of race fans to watch the peloton storm down Front Street in hopes of capturing the stage win. Stage 6: Friday, May 17 – San Jose (Individual Time Trial) Start Location: Bailey Ave. Finish Location: Metcalf Road – Metcalf Motorcycle Park Start Time: 12:50 p.m. Stage Length: 19.6 miles San Jose is a familiar setting for the race; it’s the only city to participate in all eight editions of the Amgen Tour of California. The race returns to the 2006 time trial course for the first three-fourths of the day, with the addition of a wicked stinger at this year’s finish. This 19.6-mile stage features a climb that begins soon after the riders push off the starting ramp. As the racers navigate around beautiful lakes and golf courses, they will begin to prepare for the most difficult finish posed by any Amgen Tour of California time trial course. Once they make the final right-hand turn on the route, they will face the strenuous, three kilometer climb up Metcalf Road to the finish. The riders will gain nearly 1,000 feet in elevation and attack several pitches with a grade of 10 percent or more. Stage 7, Presented by Nissan: Saturday, May 18 – Livermore to Summit of Mount Diablo Start Location: 3rd St./Carnegie Park Finish Location: Mount Diablo – summit parking lot Start Time: 11:35 a.m. Stage Length: 93 miles In all likelihood, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will be won or lost on the climb to the peak of Mount Diablo. The 92-mile route features several cyclist favorites, including Morgan Territory Road, new to the race this year. The riders will navigate narrow, twisting climbs through bucolic farm country and redwoods before making a roller-coaster descent. The race will return to Patterson Pass Road where they will encounter the infamous “wall,” a short, steep climb toward the end of the road where riders will peddle up grades over 15 percent in the last two kilometers. The peloton will return to Livermore for a sprint, and finally, expect large crowds at Mount Diablo, which historically has attracted some of the largest audiences for a mountain race route. This year, the race will cover an additional 4.5 miles of climbing to the summit, perhaps the greatest viewscape of any mountain in California with breathtaking views up to 200 miles in any direction. Stage 8, Presented by Amgen: Sunday, May 19 – San Francisco to Santa Rosa Start Location: Marina Green Finish Location: 3rd Street and Santa Rosa Ave. Start Time: 8:15 a.m. Stage Length: 86.2 miles We could not have designed a better stage for the finish of 2013 Amgen Tour of California! This stage encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery as it winds through San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Highway 1, Point Reyes National Seashore, Occidental and Santa Rosa, where the crowds are expected to be the largest ever to see the race conclude. An early race start at Marina Green in San Francisco (dictated by live race coverage on NBC) and a rolling traffic break of the Golden Gate Bridge will ensure the spectacular sight of the peloton descending on the landmark. The bridge sidewalk will remain open to provide spectators the opportunity to cheer on the cyclists racing across the structure. The race will be capped off by two spectator-friendly finish circuits in downtown Santa Rosa where the winner of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California will be crowned in a special awards ceremony. At the end of the race, the winner and the team who supported him will take top honors for having conquered the longest and most difficult stage race ever mounted in the United States. Cycling fans can experience the excitement of America’s biggest professional stage race up close and personal by becoming a race volunteer. Race organizers are looking to fill nearly 5,000 volunteer positions. Registration and further information about the various duties available is now available online at www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. For the last five years, title sponsor Amgen has recognized outstanding individuals making a difference for cancer patients and their loved ones in communities across California through the Breakaway from Cancer initiative, designed to raise awareness of the important resources that are available to those affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Four individuals – one from each of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California communities of Escondido, Santa Clarita, Santa Barbara and Livermore – will ultimately be selected as the Breakaway from Cancer Champions. Nominations will be accepted online until Feb. 25 to recognize a cancer survivor, patient, caregiver or advocate for those impacted by cancer. Learn more about becoming a Breakaway from Cancer Champion at www.breakawayfromcancer.com/champions. About the Amgen Tour of California The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information, please visit www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com. About Amgen Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad 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. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen. About Breakaway from Cancer Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer is a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community, Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com or follow us @BreakawayCancer on Twitter and www.facebook.com/BreakawayfromCancer on Facebook. 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 Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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. *Route and start times are subject to change. Media Contact: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris 213-438-8888 etanner@golinharris.com

Gilbert will race 2013 Amgen Tour, but may sit out the Tour de France - VeloNews

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 14:49:34 PST

ADELAIDE, Australia (VN) – World champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing) will race the Amgen Tour of California this year, but is uncertain to start the Tour de France. Gilbert told VeloNews that a first-ever appearance at the Tour of California would be part of an ambitious calendar in his rainbow-jersey season. “I have never been to the USA before, so I am looking forward to racing in America,” Gilbert said. “I do not know about the Tour. I want to be good for the spring classics and the world championships. There are others on the team who can do well in the Tour.” Read VeloNews Full Article By: Andrew Hood / VeloNews Published: January 23, 2013