Major Sponsorship Renewals for Tour of California

Coca-cola, the World’s Largest Beverage Company, and UnitedHealthCare, a Leading Health And Well-being Company, Also Extended Their Sponsorship With The Leading Cycling Event

California, April 26th - AEG, the owner and operator of the Amgen Tour of California, today announced that Amgen, one of the world’s leading biotechnology companies, renewed its title sponsorship of California’s largest professional cycling event. In addition, Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, and UnitedHealthcare, a leading health and well-being company, also extended their sponsorship with the leading cycling event. Collectively, these partnerships represent the largest renewal investments since the race’s inception.

Founded in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style eight-day, eight-stage cycling road race designed to challenge the world’s top cyclists as they compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California’s iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions.

As a part of its renewal, Amgen will continue the vision they started with AEG in 2006 as the only and original title sponsor for the men’s race, and it will also expand its sponsorship with the tour to now include the women’s race. During the race, Amgen will continue to raise awareness for the important resources available to people affected by cancer as part of its national Breakaway from cancer initiative created to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer — from prevention through survivorship.

Beginning in 2016, Amgen’s support of the tour will also include a new public health campaign, aimed at encouraging Americans to take charge of their heart health by understanding their family’s history of heart disease and getting active through cycling.

“We continue to be honored by all of our partners, including Amgen, whose company mission is to help all those affected by serious disease,” said Nick Baker, senior vice president, AEG Global Partnerships. “We look forward to increasing engagement, visibility and support for Amgen’s initiatives through the tour while delivering a world-class cycling competition.”

Extending its relationship with the Amgen Tour of California into its sixth year, Coca-Cola will act as an official sponsor of the cycling race. The world-renowned beverage company will exclusively provide competitors and spectators alike with water, juice, no- and low-calorie beverages throughout the duration of the tour. In addition, Coca-Cola will highlight its partnership with the race through daily domestic broadcast integration, digital promotions, and on-site exposure. Coca-Cola will also activate a space at the Lifestyle Festival – a central hub for fans to interact with more than 40 exhibitors and other enthusiasts as they wait for cyclists to cross the finish line each day.

Also extending its partnership with California’s largest cycling event, UnitedHealthcare will serve as this year’s official health care provider, and the Unitedhealthcare Pro Cycling Team will participate in the race. As a seven-year partner of the Amgen Tour of California, UnitedHealthcare will provide on-course branding, PA announcements, and website and broadcast ads. In addition, UnitedHealthcare will participate in the Lifestyle Festival, with a booth for guests to visit during the course of each race day.

“It’s great to see leading companies like Amgen, Coca-Cola and UnitedHealthcare extending their partnership with the Amgen Tour of California, embracing health awareness and bringing this positive message to their consumers,” said Kristin Klein, President, Amgen Tour of California and Executive vice president, AEG Sports. “This event provides an invaluable way for companies to reach an active and healthy audience, and we look forward to partnering with others who are looking to build a relationship with this top-tier cycling race.”