Tour Of California Amgen Giant Challenge

AMGEN-GIANT MASTERS CHARITY CHALLENGE
Elite masters cycling team challenges California-based cycling teams to 'ride and raise' for charity during the Amgen Tour of California
Corona Del Mar, CA - Jan 6, 2009 - A select group of the Amgen-Giant Elite Masters Racing Team will be riding stages of the Amgen Tour of California in advance of the race to help promote awareness and raise money for Amgen's Breakaway from Cancer™ initiative. Breakaway from Cancer™ is a complimentary component to Amgen's sponsorship of the Amgen Tour of California to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients, from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and support.
To support charity, the Amgen-Giant squad is reaching out to other California cycling teams to 'share a stage' while getting some good base miles during the tour. Cycling team members will be asked to raise charity funds in advance for the Breakaway campaign in order to participate. Participants will begin the stage route hours in advance of the official stage start time with the goal to arrive into the finishing city in advance of the race. Rolling support will be provided for the rides.
"This is a great way for California's competitive cycling community to get in some great training while supporting Breakaway from Cancer, an important component to the Amgen Tour of California", says Malcolm Hill, of Amgen-Giant Elite Masters Racing. "Our racing team is part of the larger Amgen Cycling Club whose mission includes raising funds for cancer initiative partners. We are challenging other riders and teams to become part of the highest profile cycling event in the U.S. by participating in one or more of our stage awareness rides."
Riders select which stage(s) they wish to participate. As in years past, the stage routes include spectacular scenery and challenging sections. "The stage rides are not a race but we encourage participation limited to strong riders", says Hill. "We hope to raise a minimum of $100 per rider for each stage with 100% of the funds raised to directly reach the Breakaway partners". A list of riders and teams participating in the Breakaway from Cancer awareness rides for each stage will be announced prior to the Amgen Tour of California.
More information is available by contacting Malcolm Hill of Amgen-Giant Elite Masters Racing at 949-697-9845 or at hill285@gmail.com.
About Amgen Cycling Club: A non-profit, charitable organization with over 800 members located at 10 chapters worldwide. Amgen Cycling Club primarily consists of Amgen Inc employees, however is a community based organization that exists to promote cycling fitness and education to its members and residents within itsÕ communities. Amgen Cycling Club is sponsored by Amgen Inc, Giant Bicycles and other community based sponsors throughout the United States. The Amgen-Giant co-sponsored cycling team is an elite group of working master racers, which are active community members of Amgen Cycling Club. This event is not an officially supported event by Amgen, AEG or the Amgen Tour of California.
For more information on Amgen Cycling or the Amgen-Giant Team, please visit http://www.velogen.org//