Press Release: CTS and AEG Announce 2012 CTS Amgen Tour of California Race Experience
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Second Annual “Amgen Tour of California Race Experience” Announced for 2012 Race
Chris Carmichael and CTS Team “Going Pro” for 2012 Amgen Tour of California,
Riding Entire Race Course
(November 23, 2011 – Colorado Springs, CO) – For the second year, Carmichael Training Systems has partnered with AEG, presenter of the Amgen Tour of California, to deliver an exclusive experience for serious amateur cyclists. A select team of athletes and CTS Coaches, including CTS Founder and CEO, Chris Carmichael, are “going pro” for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California as part of “The Amgen Tour of California Race Experience.” The team will ride more than 750 miles in eight days to complete every stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California.
The CTS Amgen Tour of California Race Experience will put amateur cyclists, selected through an online application process via https://trainright.com/atoc-2012, on the start line of every stage of the 2012 Amgen Tour of California a few hours before the professional peloton departs. This is not a wine-and-cheese cycling tour; the CTS team must work together as a cohesive unit and ride fast enough to stay ahead of the approaching professional peloton. If they do not, they will be forced off the race course by the pros.
Carmichael, who raced the 1986 Tour de France with the iconic 7-Eleven Team and directed US National Cycling Teams at some of the world’s biggest races, said, “I’ve been around professional cycling for a long time and I wanted to create an unforgettable opportunity for cycling fans to experience a professional stage race from the inside. Athletes on my team are going to feel the pressure of being chased by the peloton, understand the need to work together as a team, and share the camaraderie that only comes from experiencing extreme efforts together.”
Carrying the Amgen Tour of California Race Experience well beyond the bike, the race organization will provide the CTS Team with similar accommodations, meals, and amenities as the pro teams competing in the event. And just like the pros, riders will be required to live out of one team-supplied duffel bag, have professional mechanics on the route with them, and professional massage therapy after each stage.
“Last year’s Amgen Tour of California Race Experience was a tremendous success,” commented Carmichael. “We had 22 riders and coaches on the team, which ultimately managed to reach the finish line in time each day and complete the entire race. We want to thank AEG for their continued support of our event and for cycling in general. Their commitment to our event has helped us to create an unparalleled experience for devoted amateur cyclists.”
The cost of this exclusive race experience is $11,500 and CTS is accepting applications from riders who believe they have the fitness to successfully complete this challenge. Interested athletes should go to https://trainright.com/atoc-2012 to apply online for the CTS Amgen Tour of California Race Experience Team. There is no cost to apply, must be at least 18 years old to participate, and applications must be completed by December 16, 2011.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Carmichael Training Systems once again for the ‘going pro’ racing experience,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the Amgen Tour of California. “We’re proud that the Amgen Tour of California can be the platform for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for amateur cyclists. Given that last year, the team was able to ride the same course as the professionals and finish the race in time is a testament to their tremendous athleticism. We look forward to supporting the 2012 team next year.”
The Amgen Tour of California Race Experience is one event in “Chris Carmichael’s Epic Endurance Bucket List” . Others events on the list include the Leadville 100, Trans Andes, and the La Ruta de los Conquistadores. These epic events target the adventurous endurance athlete and feature various packages of CTS coaching, camps and race support.
“There’s a hunger out there for big challenges,” commented Carmichael. “The demand is there as well. We filled the 2011 Amgen Tour of California Race Experience to capacity in two days, just by reaching out to individual athletes we already knew.”
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, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 13-20, 2012.
About CTS
Founded by Olympian, US Olympic Committee Coach of the Year, and bestselling author, Chris Carmichael in 2000, Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) inspires and empowers the athlete in EVERY BODY to perform at their best. The company offers personal coaching, training camps, and performance testing services to athletes of all ability levels. CTS is the Official Coaching Partner of Ironman and Ironman 70.3.
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 NOKIA Theatre Times Square; 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 ING 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.
Media Contacts:
Jim Rutberg, CTS
jrutberg@trainright.com 719-635-0645 x118
Michael Roth, AEG mroth@aeg-la.com 213-742-7155