2013 amgen tour of california PROMISES AN EXCITING EIGHT DAYS OF RACING
2013 amgen tour of california PROMISES AN EXCITING EIGHT DAYS OF RACING
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.
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