Fresh on the heels of announcing the 13 official Host Cities for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, AEG, presenter of the race, has announced the return of the popular amateur ride L’Etape du California. Produced in partnership with Pacific Sports, a leading sports and event management company, the 2012 edition of L’Etape du Californiawill take place on Saturday, April 28.
Held for the first time this past May in conjunction with America’s premier cycling race, L’Etape du California gives amateur cyclists an experience like none other, challenging participants to ride what is arguably the toughest stage ever seen in American cycling, Stage 7 of the Amgen Tour of California. Earlier this year, Stage 7 played host to the world’s best cyclists and produced an amazing race as riders Andy Schleck, Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer battled it out to the top.
Featuring an unrelenting, intense climb to the top of Mt. Baldy, a route legendary in California cycling lore, Stage 7 of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California will start in Ontario, a new city to the race, on Saturday, May 19. Specific details of Stage 7 will be announced early next year, along with details of the entire race route. The 2012 Amgen Tour of California will take place over eight days from May 13 – 20.
“Last year’s L’Etape du California was received with so much enthusiasm, we knew we had to do it again in 2012,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California. “We have such passionate cycling fans in America, and here in California in particular, so it only makes sense to host this event in conjunction with our race. We were thrilled to see so many people tackle the Mt. Baldy climb this past May, and we look forward to an even more spectacular event next year.”
Drawing riders from around the country, the 2011 L’Etape du California was won by Californian Jonathan Hornbeck. Hornbeck battled through close to 10,000 vertical feet of climbing and rode nearly 100 miles to take first place honors. He was followed by Nate Whitman and Sean Donovan, who finished second and third respectively.
Like last year, the field for the 2012 L’Etape du California will be limited to 2,500 riders.
“We are excited to be bringing this once-in-a-lifetime experience to amateur cyclists and applaud AEG for continuing this cycling tradition,” said Jack Caress, President and CEO of Pacific Sports, producer of L’Etape du California. “Stage 7 of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California was one of the most talked about stages, and it was watched by people from around the world, so we know interest for this year’s L’Etape du California will be even greater. We’re looking forward to a fantastic race.”
For more information, please visit www.letapeducalifornia.com/. For further information on the 2012 Amgen Tour of California, and to view the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Host Cities video, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
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 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.
About Pacific Sports LLC
Founded in 1983, Pacific Sports LLC is a premier sports consultation firm, specializing in event production, management, and corporate sports marketing development. Having produced more than 300 sport events in the United States, including the 1996 Triathlon World Championships and 12 U.S. Championships, Pacific Sports LLC is dedicated to the creation, development and management of participant and endurance sports including those of running, swimming, and cycling. Pacific Sports is a co-founder of the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series comprising the major championships at the Olympic Distance in the United States. The firm produces events around the country, including the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon, Brooklyn Bun & 5k, L’Etape du California, Toyota U.S. Open Triathlon Dallas, Dow | Live Earth Run for Water, Rose Bowl Half Marathon, and Cleveland Triathlon. For more information about Pacific Sports, log onto http://www.pacificsportsllc.com.