LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Months before the best cyclists in the world compete in the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, AEG, owner/operator of America’s biggest cycling event, announced an unprecedented lineup of sponsors already committed to support next year’s international competition.
In addition to returning title sponsor Amgen, Champion System also will return in 2014 for its second year as the exclusive jersey supplier and uniform provider of the Amgen Tour of California. The special award jerseys provided by Champion System at the conclusion of each stage will once again carry the last name of the rider wearing it the following day. This tradition began at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California and was believed to be a first for any professional cycling race.
“Champion System is thrilled to be the official apparel sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California for the coming three years. Champion System has a strong desire to continue to support the sport of cycling and be a part of continuing the growth and success of this iconic event,” said Scott Kaylin, president and CEO of Champion System. “The leaders jerseys and speed suits of the Amgen Tour of California showcase our high tech apparel, and as a custom company, we highlight the same gear to cycling fans with the Amgen Tour of California event apparel. Our partnership facilitates bringing cutting edge apparel to the cycling community, riders and fans through a dynamic, world-class event.”
The full slate of returning partners to date includes: title sponsor Amgen, Champion System, 10 Speed Coffee, Bissell, Carmichael Training Systems, Crunchies Natural Snacks, Michelob Ultra, SRAM and ZD Wines.
“We highly value our partners and are thrilled they have experienced proven returns being associated with the largest cycling event in America. The race is bigger and better each year, and it’s unprecedented that with eight months to go, nearly half of our partners have already recommitted for 2014 and beyond,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “These partnerships are vital in creating one of the most anticipated cycling events in the world, and in helping to deliver an experience that fans and athletes can look forward to year after year.”
Below are some of the anticipated elements that will be brought to fans by 2014 Amgen Tour of California partners:
- Title sponsor since the inaugural race, Amgen leverages the event as a platform for Breakaway from Cancer®, a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. During the eight-day race, Amgen will honor and celebrate cancer survivors through a variety of events including official race starts, jersey presentations and four Breakaway Mile events, a special walk along the race course for community members impacted by cancer.
- Champion System – The multi-year deal includes Champion System’s cutting-edge, custom technical apparel available online in the Amgen Tour of California store (http://amgentourofcaliforniastore.com/), with new 2014 items available soon.
- 10 Speed Coffee – Having just opened their first California brick-and-mortar, farm-to-table concept, Pedalers Fork in Calabasas, 10 Speed Coffee is the exclusive coffee of the race and is committed to serving up the official brew for the third year running.
- Bissell – BISSELL Homecare has been a proud sponsor of the Amgen Tour of California since 2008. The company continues its support of the sport of cycling, which demonstrates BISSELL's commitment to health and wellness both inside and outside the home.
- Carmichael Training Systems – Carmichael Training Systems CTS will once again offer a unique race experience for cycling enthusiasts by leading the honorary "17th Team" of the Amgen Tour of California. Participants share meals with the pro riders, stay in the same hotels, and ride all eight days of the tour.
- Completing the race experience is a mental and physical journey requiring teamwork, the expert advice of renowned coach Chris Carmichael, and support from pro mechanics and soigneurs.
- Crunchies Natural Snacks – Be on the lookout for new flavors and special Looney Tunes packaging coming soon from Crunchies, the exclusive healthy snack partner of the race since 2010.
- Michelob Ultra – Michelob Ultra will mark its fifth Amgen Tour of California as the exclusive beer/malt beverage partner, and will once again showcase the race’s world-class talent as the leaders of the day are celebrated on the Michelob Ultra Awards Stage. Fans will hear live race commentary from the Michelob Ultra Announcer’s Stage as they anxiously await the pros sprinting to the finish line. Michelob Ultra brand ambassadors will meet and greet fans in the Lifestyle Festival, and the fan-favorite Michelob Ultra Beer Garden will also be back.
- SRAM – Every team competing can count on SRAM’s technical expertise and Formula 1 fast Zipp wheel changes to get riders back in the race.
- ZD Wines – Celebrating their fourth year as the official wine partner of the event, ZD Wines rewards fans who book VIP hospitality access with the opportunity to taste some of the best wines Napa Valley has to offer.
About the Amgen Tour of California
The 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 traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and world champions.
More information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
About Amgen
Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology.
Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people’s lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential.
For more information, visit www.amgen.com and 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 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.
LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s13)