Additional Anti-Doping testing protocols announced for 2010 Amgen Tour of California

LOS ANGELES (April 30, 2010) - AEG, with the support of Amgen and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), today announced additional testing protocols for the fifth annual Amgen Tour of California as part of the race's comprehensive anti-doping initiatives.

Designed to supplement the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) Biological Passport, a groundbreaking anti-doping tool based on the ongoing monitoring of a rider's blood and urine, the race's 2010 anti-doping program will include the following elements:

UCI in-competition testing - Each day, testing will be conducted with the stage winner, current leader of the general classification and three other riders (chosen from the general field)
Pre-race testing - Riders will have blood and urine samples collected prior to the race. For teams not involved in the UCI Biological Passport program, USADA is conducting pre-event, out-of-competition testing in the weeks leading up to the race; these tests have already begun
USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP) - Conducted by USADA, riders in the RTP are tested throughout the year, in the out-of-competition program, including the weeks leading up to the event
Prohibited List - Samples will be screened for substances and methods included on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, such as steroids, hormones (e.g. EPO), stimulants and various masking agents
Testing - Sample collections may include both urine and blood, and samples will be tested for the presence of prohibited substances such as steroids, hormones (including EPO) and various masking agents, as well as indications of blood manipulation. Certain samples will include special analysis, such as the CIR test for synthetic testosterone and will be tested for CERA and hGH
Storage - A number of urine and blood samples collected will be stored for up to eight years so that, in the event of new testing methods, samples can be reevaluated
All participating teams are required to ensure that all team members, including coaches, trainers and support staff, are clear of any pending doping investigations at the time of the 2010 Amgen Tour of California. The roster of riders will be provided by the participating team and will then be submitted to USA Cycling and UCI to confirm that there are no open investigations prior to the race

"We are grateful for our partnership with USADA and the UCI to ensure that we are doing all we can to guarantee a fair competition for the athletes," said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, the race owner and organizer. "We are committed to continuing to explore additional ways to ensure a clean race."

"USADA commends the Amgen Tour of California for taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to its anti-doping efforts at this event," said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. "We are committed to protecting clean athletes and preserving a level playing field for those who want to compete fairly and healthy, and are pleased to work with the event management to do our utmost to ensure this."

"Amgen appreciates and shares AEG's interest in running a clean race," said Dr. Steve Elliott, Amgen scientific executive director. "We are pleased with the steps AEG has taken, in collaboration with USADA and UCI, to continue to strengthen the Amgen Tour of California's anti-doping program."

For more information about the Amgen Tour of California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course through the state from May 16-23.

About the US Anti-Doping Agency

USADA is the non-profit, independent and non-governmental entity responsible for the testing and results management process in the U.S. for athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, upholding the Olympic ideal of fair play, and representing the interests of athletes. USADA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs. The agency manages a drug reference phone hotline as well as the Global Drug Reference Online at www.GlobalDRO.org, conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as curriculums, themed brochures and nutrition and dietary guides, easy-reference wallet cards for the prohibited substance list, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference publications, all of which can be found at www.USADA.org.

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, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about Amgen's pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. To learn more about Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer initiative, visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com.

About AEG

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE and NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG LIVE, the organization's live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.

Media Contacts:

AEG
Michael Roth
213-742-7155
mroth@aeg-la.com

GolinHarris
Nicole Okoneski
213-438-8793
nokoneski@golinharris.com