AEG, presenter of the Amgen Tour of California, is seeking original artwork submissions for the design of the 2012 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. This jersey is awarded daily to the cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance.

Many of the world’s elite cyclists will compete for the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey during America’s largest and most prestigious professional road cycling stage race, the seventh consecutive edition of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California which will travel more than 750 miles from May 13 – 20, 2012.

From now until January 31, 2012, original artwork submissions will be accepted online at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/bfc-contest. The winning artwork will be used in connection with the 2012 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Hincapie Sportswear will produce this specially designed jersey.

“We’re excited to use our jerseys to bring attention to a good cause,” said Rich Hincapie, owner, Hincapie Sportswear. “We can’t wait to see everyone’s creative ideas.”

One grand prize package will be awarded to the person who designs the winning artwork. The prize package includes a trip for the winner and one guest to one Stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, two VIP Hospitality passes to the respective stage of the race, an Amgen Tour of California merchandise package, and the opportunity to present the official jersey to the Most Courageous Rider winner of the Stage during the awards ceremony.

The winning submission will be determined by the following criteria: creativity (50 percent), use of colors and elements (25 percent), and choice of theme (25 percent). A panel of judges will review all eligible entries. All artwork must submitted as a .jpg, .eps, .gif, .pdf or .psd file, no more than 3 MB in size. Official contest rules can be found at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/bfc-contest.

“Amgen is passionate about helping those with cancer, and this contest is another way to reach into the community and connect with those impacted by the disease,” said Stuart Arbuckle, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Amgen’s goal with Breakaway from Cancer is to raise awareness of the resources available for those touched by cancer – from prevention through survivorship.”

The 2011 winners of the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey include James Driscoll (USA) of Jamis-Sutter Home, Jan Barta (CZE) of NetApp, Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) of Team Garmin-Cervelo, Oscar Freire (ESP) of Rabobank Cycling Team, and Alexander Efimkin (RUS) of Team Type 1-sanofi.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2012 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 from May 13-20, 2012.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, 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, 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, bone disease and other serious illnesses.

With a deep and broad 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 vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com. Follow us on www.twitter.com/amgen.

About Breakaway from Cancer®
Founded in 2005 by Amgen, Breakaway from Cancer® is a national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. Breakaway from Cancer is a collaboration between Amgen and four nonprofit partner organizations: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly known as The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation, and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. These organizations offer a broad range of support services complementing those provided by a patient’s team of healthcare professionals. For more information, please visit www.breakawayfromcancer.com or follow us @BreakawayCancer on Twitter.

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 Times Square’s Best Buy Theater; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the 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.