[Posting this from my phone so just a cut and paste of the press release, but this wasn’t a sure thing and is kind of a big deal for California race fans.]
LOS ANGELES (September 18, 2013) – Amgen, the world’s largest independent biotechnology company, and AEG, owner/operator of the Amgen Tour of California, announced that Amgen has renewed its title sponsorship of America’s largest professional cycling event.
Amgen’s title sponsorship of this premier cycling race since its 2006 inception creates a platform to educate the public about our company and biotechnology, and aligns with the company’s commitment to support healthy lifestyles and improve health outcomes. Programs running in tandem with the Amgen Tour of California will be designed to raise awareness about some of the world’s most serious illnesses, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, two leading causes of death globally.
“We are very excited about renewing our title sponsorship,” said Ray Jordan, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs at Amgen. “At Amgen, we are passionate about serving patients and this is a great opportunity to connect with them from a different perspective.”
Expanded programming will build on the success of Breakaway from Cancer®, a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Amgen will continue to honor and celebrate cancer survivors through a variety of events taking place during the eight-day event including official race starts, jersey presentations and Breakaway Mile events, a special walk along the race course for community members impacted by cancer.
The announcement underscores Amgen’s continued commitment to the State of California, the healthy benefits of cycling, inclusive of the active Amgen Cycling Club, and a long history of involvement in charitable events.
“From day one of our partnership, Amgen has been an extraordinary, dedicated partner and has worked closely with us to build the race into what it is today – America’s premier cycling event, and one of the most anticipated on the international calendar,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California and senior vice president of AEG Sports.
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. Beginning in 2006, the annual event is dedicated to promoting cycling along with a healthy lifestyle while creating hundreds of millions of dollars in beneficial impact to the California economy. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France champions and world champions as well as America’s most promising racing talent.
“The partnership with Amgen has played a major role in creating the stature and respect that our race has been known for from day one,” said Nick Baker, Sr. Vice President, AEG Global Partnerships. “What we most admire about the wonderful people working at Amgen is also what sets them apart from so many other corporations; the strong commitment to leverage the global event platform of the race that we created together to inform and educate millions about resources available to those affected by Cancer, while at the same time honoring the survivors who set examples for millions more. This is truly a company and a partnership that rises above the business side of sponsorship.”
Next year will mark the ninth annual Amgen Tour of California, America’s longest-running and largest professional cycling stage race. More information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.