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Tour of California route unveiled

By VeloNews Interactive
Published: Nov. 2, 2005
Tour of California route unveiled
Tour of California route unveiled

Organizers have unveiled the route of the upcoming Tour of California and confirmed speculation that one of the world’s largest biotech firms has signed on as title sponsor of the event.

Scheduled for February 19-26, 2006, the Amgen Tour of California has signed16 professional cycling teams from around the world to compete across 700 miles of scenic California roadway from San Francisco to Redondo Beach, California.

Among the 16 teams competing in the inaugural event are six ProTour teams – Discovery, Gerolsteiner, Davitamon-Lotto, Phonak, Saunier Duval Prodir and the T-Mobile - and the U.S.’s two top continental teams Health Net and Navigators Insurance.

Team representatives along with mayors, other civic officials and a who’s who of the international cycling community were on hand to discuss the eight-day stage race which will travel through San Francisco, Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Martinez, San Jose, the Monterey Peninsula, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Thousand Oaks to finish at Redondo Beach.

AEG estimates that more than one million spectators will line the route, with millions more tuning in to broadcasts daily to watch the event.

“We are proud to present the Amgen Tour of California. The event will celebrate not only the athleticism and grace of cycling but also the beauty of the state of California, which will be on display for everyone to see – both on television and in person along the route,” said Timothy J. Leiweke, CEO & President, AEG. “The Amgen Tour of California will soon take its place among the sport’s best, most respected races.”

Promoters also announced that Amgen, the world’s leading biotechnology company, has been signed as the title sponsor of the race.

“Amgen discovers and develops vital medicines that over the years have helped millions of patients fight cancer, kidney disease and other serious illnesses,” said Kevin Sharer, Amgen’s chairman and CEO. “We are associating our name with this premier cycling event to underscore the value of a healthy lifestyle, promote medical breakthroughs made possible through biotechnology and emphasize the proper use of our medicines.”