Columbia Sportswear Co. will be the sportswear partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California
professional cycling road race. Under the sponsorship, Columbia will outfit
staff, VIPs, local volunteers and all VERSUS, Web site and on-site announcers
with industry-leading Columbia outdoor apparel that protects against rain, cold
and the sun's UV rays.
The recently expanded 750-mile, nine-day stage race,
considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, will
take 17 of the world's top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San
Diego County through some of the state's most picturesque highways, roadways
and highlights. Scheduled from February 14-22, 2009, the fourth-annual race
will visit 16 host cities for stage starts and finishes along the route.
Columbia Sportswear Company also sponsors Team Columbia-Highroad, one of the 17
teams in the Tour.
“Columbia Sportswear is delighted to be the sportswear
sponsor of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, and to have our sponsored cycling
team – Team Columbia-Highroad – compete in this prestigious race,” said
Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company. “Columbia's
outdoor products are developed specifically to help people get outside and
enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from the elements. This event offers
an ideal environment to showcase the ability of Columbia's innovative apparel,
such as Omni-Shade sun-protective clothing, to meet the diverse needs of
athletes, spectators, race organizers, media and all outdoor enthusiasts who
will be drawn to this exciting event.”
Columbia also will have a significant presence at the Amgen
Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, where thousands of fans will engage in
various cycling, healthy lifestyle and sponsor-supported activities adjacent to
the finish line in each of the nine different cities where daily race stages
finish. Additionally, Columbia's sponsorship of the 2009 Amgen Tour of
California will include VIP hospitality opportunities and promotional exposure
through on-site signage, banner ads within the Amgen Tour of California Web
site and all race marketing materials.
“Columbia Sportswear's long-standing tradition of
creating clothing that allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their activities
longer and more comfortably makes it the perfect fit to be the sportswear
partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California,” said Andrew Messick,
president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “This sponsorship is not
only a great addition to the race, but also shows growth and commitment to the
continued success of professional cycling in the United States.”
During the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, elite
international and domestic cycling teams will traverse the state from north to
south with scheduled stops in the following host cities: Sacramento, Davis,
Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Merced, Clovis, Visalia,
Paso Robles, Solvang, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.
