AMGEN Tour of California Team Presentation and Kick-Off Celebration “Champions Will Rise” Set for May 13 at SeaWorld San Diego
The Party Will Benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation, Spotlight Aspiring Champions from World’s Foremost Cycling Teams, Provide Guests With Unprecedented Showcase of Professional Sports, Active Lifestyles & Hospitality
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — April 21st, 2016 — The AMGEN Tour of California Team Presentation and Kick-off Celebration — “Champions Will Rise” — will be held Friday, May 13 at SeaWorld San Diego. The event will introduce riders from 18 of the world’s most decorated and recognized cycling teams competing in the 11th annual Amgen Tour of California, which begins in San Diego on May 15. Funds raised at the event will support the Challenged Athletes Foundation, a worldwide leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles through sports.
The kickoff event will feature an unprecedented opportunity to witness the outstanding field of men’s professional teams for the 2016 race take the stage during introductions, including 10 UCI WorldTour teams, the most in race history. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to meet legends and announcers from the sport of cycling and network with San Diego civic leaders and local sports celebrities.
These professional riders will face off across nearly 800 miles of California terrain from May 15-22. The eight-stage men’s event will have 18 of the world’s most decorated international teams competing for one of the sport’s most coveted titles. This is the first time the Amgen Tour of California will begin in San Diego, with a challenging 106-mile course that starts and finishes at Mission Bay.
Guests will have the opportunity to attend the May 13 event with several ticket options and packages. The Team Presentation Ticket for $100 includes a cocktail reception, the team presentation and program; The Team Presentation and Dinner package priced at $250 gives access to park attractions. For an exclusive experience, the Domestique Package priced at $600, includes Team presentation and program, dinner and SeaWorld attractions. Plus this package provides access to other events: attendance at International Press Conference (May 13), and two ride options, a 30-mile Veteran’s Tribute Ride with NBA Legend Bill Walton (May 14) or the “Ride with the Pros” (May 15), a supported ride on the full 106-mile Amgen Tour of California course alongside former pro riders. Also included is VIP access to the CAF Hospitality area at the race finish line (May 15).
“San Diego is honored to play host to the first stage of this year’s Amgen Tour of California,” said Ed Clancy, chair of the San Diego Tour of California Local Organizing Committee. “Our Team Presentation and Kickoff Event will enable guests to see the aspiring champions of the Amgen Tour of California at a special evening that showcases the best of San Diego sports and hospitality. And our event beneficiary, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, will have many of their finest athletes available to tell stories of how they have conquered great obstacles to become champions in their own right.”
“It is an honor to be involved in this historic event for the City of San Diego,” remarked Challenged Athletes Foundation CEO Bill Geppert. “We are very grateful the Tour of California Local Organizing Committee chose CAF as the charity beneficiary of the kick-off celebration. This will be a transformational experience for everyone attending to hear the inspirational stories from challenged athletes.”
Event sponsorships include the Peloton Package priced at $1,000, Champion Sponsor at $5,000 and the Podium Sponsor at $10,000. Each package provides a number exclusive VIP experience options, inclusion in marketing, public relations and digital advertising programs for the event and access to the International Press Conference, Ride It Before the Pros events and First Stage and Finish Line VIP experiences.
To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, please visit www.tockickoff.org.
About the Challenged Athletes Foundation
The Challenged Athletes Foundation® (CAF) is a world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active, healthy lifestyles. CAF believes that participation in physical activity at any level increases self-esteem, encourages independence and enhances quality of life. Since 1994, more than $70 million has been raised and over 11,000 funding requests from people with physical challenges in all 50 states and dozens of countries have been satisfied. Additionally, CAF’s outreach efforts reach another 60,000 individuals each year. Whether it’s a $2,500 grant for a handcycle, helping underwrite a carbon fiber running foot not covered by insurance, or arranging enthusiastic encouragement from a mentor who has triumphed over a similar challenge, CAF’s mission is clear: give opportunities and support to those with the desire to live active, athletic lifestyles To learn more, visit challengedathletes.org or call 858-866-0959.
About Amgen Tour of California — San Diego
2016 San Diego Tour of California Local Organizing Committee (SDTOCLOC) includes 11 sub-committees. On May 15 the professional bicycle race will start from the heart of SD for the first time in the race's 11-year-history, and cover 106 miles through cities and neighborhoods throughout San Diego County, finally finishing at Mission Bay. Competing across nearly 800 miles of quintessential California terrain from May 15-22, the Amgen Tour of California (ATOC) course will lead World Champions, Olympic Medalists, top Tour de France competitors and other elite professional cyclists south to north for only the second time since the race began in 2006, with 12 cities to host starts and finishes along the way. The SDTOCLOC includes a coalition of San Diego County business owners, stakeholders, politicians, developers, organizational and community leaders to develop a multi-year partnership with international sports/management company AEG for San Diego to be a host city during the next three years. The SDTOCLOC is hosting a number of community events to create anticipation and excitement for ATOC first race stage in San Diego. For more information, visit www.sd2016loc.com
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