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Stockton-San Jose stage comes on Day 4 of Feb. 18-24 cycling event
For
Immediate Release
Contact: Jody Meacham, 408 / 288-2934, jody@sjsa.org
SAN JOSE (July 20, 2006) – San Jose will return in 2007 as a host city of the Amgen Tour of California, the second running of America’s most important cycling event, it was announced today by race presenter AEG.
The 150-plus competitors in the eight-day, 650-mile stage race will pedal from Stockton to San Jose on Day 4, Wednesday, Feb. 21. The Tour of California begins Sunday, Feb. 18 with a prologue in San Francisco and finishes Saturday, Feb. 24 in Long Beach.
Last year’s inaugural Tour drew an estimated 1.3 million spectators including more than 50,000 in San Jose, which hosted two days of racing. The race contributed $4.7 million to the local economy. Tour of California winner Floyd Landis is in third place today in the Tour de France and is in position to win that race, which concludes Sunday in Paris.
“We are extremely proud that San Jose will be hosting the 2nd Annual Amgen Tour of California, and receiving global attention,” said Paul Krutko, director of the Office of Economic Development, City of San José. “San Jose, as the race’s backdrop, showcases our city for the entire world to see. We know for a fact San Jose must create an inspiring reputation and appeal to folks far and wide. The kind of notoriety brought about by the Amgen Tour of California will play a key role in making this happen and in continuing to help raise San Jose’s profile on an international stage.”
“San Jose has a long cycling history,” said Carl Guardino, chair of the local organizing committee and president & CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. “The city's first bicycle club was formed in 1884, one of the first pedal bicycles was invented here and we have 10 established international bike manufactures in the area. We are very proud once again to host the second Amgen Tour of California. This world-class cycling race builds on our rich cycling history and on the momentum created by the successful inaugural Amgen Tour of California. It definitely helps to further the City of San José and the greater South Bay region as a global center of professional cycling. We look forward to a great race in February 2007."
In addition to San Jose, the other cities returning from the Tour’s first race are San Francisco, Sausalito, Santa Rosa, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. In addition to Stockton, the first-time Tour cities include Sacramento, Seaside, Solvang, Santa Clarita and Long Beach. “
While the Amgen Tour of California is already being acknowledged as America’s most important cycling event, we remain committed to upgrading and enhancing every element of the race experience for the cyclists, spectators, viewers and sponsors,” said Shawn Hunter, AEG Sports president. “Along with our presenting partners at Amgen, we are proud to produce this great event, which not only showcases the exciting sport of cycling and our beautiful state, but brings tremendous economic impact to California as well.”
More information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
The San Jose Sports Authority is the sports marketing agency for the City of San José and is a partner with the San Jose Office of Economic Development in bringing the Tour of California to the city. Visit our website at www.sjsa.org. |
