Sacramento Gets Starting Nod
in 2009 Amgen Tour of California

World-Class Professional Cycling Race Begins Feb. 14
on Streets of Sacramento

Do you want to volunteer for the 2009 race?

After embracing the Amgen Tour of California with open arms the last two years, Sacramento received an early Valentine’s Day gift when local officials received word that the capital will be the starting city in the expanded 2009 event.

The professional cycling race begins Saturday, Feb. 14, with a road stage that starts and finished on the streets of Sacramento. The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will feature stops in 16 cities over the course of nine days from Feb. 14-22, race presenter AEG announced today in a series of press conferences throughout the state.

This marks the first time in four years that the Amgen Tour of California will begin with a road stage rather than a prologue. In 2007 and 2008, Sacramento served as the finish for the second stage of the race, drawing tens of thousands of spectators to the finishing circuit around the state capitol.

Route specifics will be announced at a later date, AEG officials said.

"Sacramento is honored to be named the start city for the Amgen Tour of California," Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo said. "The entire community welcomed and embraced this terrific event the last two years, and it's a testament to our efforts that we'll be hosting the first stage in 2009. We're delighted to move to the center of the cycling map."

Supervisor Jimmie Yee, Chairman of Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, said, “The city is very excited about helping bring the Amgen race back to Sacramento, particularly the Start. It was a wonderful event the last two years and we will take it to a new level in 2009.”

"As pleased as we were to host the finish of the second stage the last two years, being the start city in 2009 places Sacramento in an even brighter light," said Steve Hammond, CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. "In addition to the national and international media exposure, it provides an even greater economic boost for local hotels, restaurants and businesses.

“Sacramentans always support world-class events – and the Amgen Tour of California is one of the best sporting events in the United States," Hammond said.

John McCasey, chief executive of the Sacramento Sports Commission, said having the event on a Saturday is a big benefit for local organizers and spectators alike. The previous Sacramento finishes took place on Tuesday, requiring a massive coordination effort from law enforcement, light rail and city and county officials.

“Saturday is definitely much more attractive,” McCasey said. “The city can show what it’s capable of presenting without the traffic issues. We’re going to make this an all-day festival, and more people will be able to experience the atmosphere of this great race.”

Stages for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California include:
• Stage 1: Saturday, Feb. 14 – Sacramento
• Stage 2: Sunday, Feb. 15 – Davis to Santa Rosa
• Stage 3: Monday, Feb. 16 – Sausalito to Santa Cruz
• Stage 4: Tuesday, Feb. 17 – San Jose to Modesto
• Stage 5: Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Merced to Clovis
• Stage 6: Thursday, Feb. 19 – Visalia to Paso Robles
• Stage 7: Friday, Feb. 20 – Solvang (individual time trial)
• Stage 8: Saturday, Feb. 21 – Santa Clarita to Pasadena
• Stage 9: Sunday, Feb. 22 – Rancho Bernardo to Escondido

For the first time, cyclists will cross the Golden Gate Bridge, during the third stage from Sausalito to Santa Cruz. The 2009 Amgen Tour of California includes eight new cities: Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido. The 2009 race will be expanded to cover more than 800 miles.

“Each year, we have been able to make the Amgen Tour of California better,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports. “We felt it was important to return to Sacramento due to the overwhelming support it has provided in previous years.”

The Amgen Tour of California has become the most successful cycling race in the United States. In 2008, the race drew 1.6 million spectators, the largest following for any cycling event held on U.S. soil. The race generated $100 million in economic growth for the state in each of its first three years, AEG officials said.

The race attracts some of the world’s top riders. Last year’s event featured two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer, Tom Boonen, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, George Hincapie, Oscar Freire and Bobby Julich.

Leipheimer, a Santa Rosa resident who competes for the Astana team, will represent the United States in next month’s Olympic Games.

“Winning the Amgen Tour of California has been a goal of mine from the beginning,” Leipheimer said. “This has always been a top priority for me.”

Last month AEG, presenter of the race, formed a multi-dimensional marketing partnership with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), owner of the Tour de France, to grow and develop each other’s events. Beginning with the 2008 Tour de France and 2009 Amgen Tour of California, the multi-year agreement calls for the organizations to develop and initiate comprehensive cross-promotional platforms for the world’s most prestigious cycling event and America’s most successful cycling race, as well as provide assistance with media and sponsorship sales for the races in their respective regions.

Amgen, a leading global biotechnology company with headquarters in Thousand Oaks, Calif., will continue to leverage the race to raise awareness and support for people affected by cancer through the Breakaway from CancerTM initiative. Amgen's support of the Amgen Tour of California has helped to ensure the race’s continued success and impact beyond the sporting arena.

“Sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California has given Amgen the opportunity to educate people about the great advances in medicine made possible by biotechnology, and to strengthen our relationships with local communities, cancer support organizations and cancer survivors through our Breakaway from Cancer initiative,” said George Morrow, Amgen’s executive vice president, Global Commercial Operations. "We look forward to another great race in 2009 and the opportunity to again lead the Breakaway from Cancer initiative to increase awareness of the support and educational resources available to help people living with cancer."

Having been sanctioned by the UCI (Union Cycliste International) and USA Cycling, the Amgen Tour of California has drawn the attention of both cycling enthusiasts and first-time spectators, making it one of the most anticipated events on the international cycling calendar.