Contact: Michael Roth (213) 742-7155
No. 07-228
December 20, 2008

2008 Amgen Tour of California Team Presentation and Gala Plans Announced

February 15 Team Presentation in Sausalito Will Kick Off Race Week

The City of Sausalito and AEG will host the Official Team Presentation and Gala for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California on Friday, February 15, 2008. A Tour de France-style cycling road race presented by AEG, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will challenge the worlds top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena from February 17-24, 2008. The race will roll through Modesto for the Stage 3 start on Wednesday, February 20, 2008. 

Now in its third year, the Amgen Tour of California has become the largest sporting event in the state of California and the largest cycling event in the country. Returning to Sausalito for the third year, the Official Team Presentation and Gala is a unique opportunity for cycling enthusiasts and race supporters to mingle with the world-class cyclists competing in the race.

All of the professional cyclists competing in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will attend the black tie and spandex evening reception and be introduced on stage. Many of these athletes have competed in the Tour de France and the last two Amgen Tour of California races in 2006 and 2007.

In addition to the professional cyclists who will race in the Amgen Tour of California, celebrities, local dignitaries, legendary cyclists and retired racers will participate in the festivities. Representatives from host cities throughout the state also will attend, as will executives from AEG and race sponsor Amgen.

The evening will include an elegant dinner by celebrity caterer Dan McCall, the team presentation, a runway fashion show including the latest in cycling gear, live entertainment and dancing to the music of Encore. Guests also will have an opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind live and silent auction items.

The program will begin at 6 p.m. at the Big Bike Tent outside the Spinnaker Restaurant in downtown Sausalito. Proceeds from the Gala will benefit Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer education and fundraising initiative.
Red Jersey tickets are $250.00 each or $2,500.00 for a table of 10. Yellow Jersey VIP/sponsored tables are $3,000.00 for 8 seats. VIP/sponsor tables will be located on the Gala runway ramp, and include complimentary valet parking, as well as an Ultra VIP Access pass that provides entrance to all Sausalito Race Weekend events, including the Tour de Cuisine, Sunday, Feb. 17 and the Bikers Brunch on Race Day, Monday, Feb. 18.

For tables and tickets or information, contact Susan Roe at (415) 331-3126 or sroe@gordonrees. Tickets also are available online at www.tourofcalifornia-Sausalito.com, or by calling the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce at (415) 331-7262. For additional information on weekend events, call the Sausalito Race Hotline at (415) 289-4109.
 

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About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops 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, and other serious illnesses. With a broad and deep pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people's lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and our vital medicines, visit www.amgen.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 NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, a Major League Lacrosse team, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG LIVE, the organizations 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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To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 342-4707. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com