Contact: Michael Roth (213) 742-7155
No. 08-016
January 18, 2008

2008 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CURRICULUM

RELEASED TO CALIFORNIA EDUCATORS FOR 4TH-6TH GRADE INSTRUCTION

Endorsed by Governor Schwarzenegger, Curriculum Contains Lessons to

Encourage Students to Live Healthy Lifestyles and Practice Bike Safety

In preparation for the highly anticipated return of the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race in February, a specially developed classroom curriculum has been distributed to fourth- through sixth-grade instructors and students in the 12 California "host" cities selected for the 650-mile race.

Now in its third year, the Amgen Tour of California has become the largest sporting event in California and the largest cycling event in the country. The Tour de France style, eight-day professional cycling race presented by AEG will showcase the world's top professional cycling teams competing along a demanding course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena, California, from February 17-24, 2008.

Through interactive lessons, the 2008 curriculum educates students about the history of cycling and includes bike safety and maintenance tips. Provided to more than 200 schools, the booklet also provides information about the state of California, including targeted lesson plans that use cycling as a means to teach core subjects such as math, science and geography.

"We are proud to work with the Amgen Tour of California in bringing you an educational booklet for students in grades four through six," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in his opening note to teachers. "Our hope is that you will use this handbook to increase your awareness of cycling and to encourage your students to start riding a bicycle for exercise, recreation and lifelong health."

"We saw an incredible level of support from young people in every community we visited during the past two Amgen Tour of California races," said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. "This curriculum is designed to further engage young Californians and not only get them excited about cycling, but also educate them about how to lead an active lifestyle and the benefits of developing healthy habits at a young age."

In addition to informative lessons about bike safety, team sports, the history of cycling and the geography of California, classroom activities such as weather charting, crossword puzzles and word searches allow educators to reach students with engaging material developed specifically for students in grades four through six.

Some host cities will augment the curriculum with activities such as drawing, coloring and essay contests, as well as spirit and participation contests among local schools.

"It is very easy for educators to get their hands on the Amgen Tour of California Education Curriculum," said Jennifer Mullen, Local Organizing Committee Co-Chair and Executive Director of the Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau.  "Not only are Local Organizing Committee members available to deliver booklets to schools, the curriculum is available online at Modesto's Amgen Tour of California website and The Modesto Bee is offering a condensed version through their Newspaper In Education program."

To have the curriculum delivered, send an email to masanders2123@sbcglobal.net or ervin.j@monet.k12.ca.us with your name, grade you teach, school address and school district.

To download the curriculum, visit www.tourofcalifornia-modesto.com and click on the link in the bottom left corner of the home page.

The Modesto Bee's Newspaper In Education program provides a condensed Amgen Tour of California Education Curriculum and a classroom set of newspapers delivered eight weekdays over the three-week period leading up to the race.  To participate in this program, contact Jessica Shaw at (209) 578-2126.  

Building on last year's second annual stage race, which attracted 1.6 million spectators, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California will visit 12 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, with communities along the route getting the chance to see firsthand a lineup of some of the best and most recognizable teams in the world. Host cities for the eight stages include: Palo Alto-Stanford University (new in 2008), Sausalito, Santa Rosa, Sacramento, Modesto (new in 2008), San Jose, Seaside, San Luis Obispo, Solvang, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Pasadena (new in 2008).

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 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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To contact the City of Modesto Public Information Office, 
call Jessica Smart at (209) 342-4707. Email: jsmart@modestogov.com