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BAKERSFIELD AMONG HOST CITIES FOR THE 2010 AMGEN TOUR

Cycling enthusiasts were excited when they heard the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will make a stop in Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau in collaboration with City staff held a press conference on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at The Park At Riverwalk. Mayor Harvey L. Hall, set the stage for the announcement along with Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Manager Don Cohen. Bakersfield City Council member Sue Benham, Kern County Supervisor, Mike Maggard, Kern County Board of Trade Director Rick Davis, and Bakersfield Sports Foundation President Kerry Ryan also presented speeches during the press conference.

According to a media release by Amgen the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will travel to 16 host cities throughout the state over the course of eight days from May 16-23. The Amgen Tour will cover more than 750 miles of beautiful California terrain beginning with the first ever visit to Nevada City, California. The eight-day race will travel through some of the state’s most scenic landmarks, with the overall finish taking place in title-sponsor Amgen’s hometown community of Thousand Oaks. The official stage start and finish locations have been selected for the 2010 race include four new cities- Nevada City, Bakersfield, Big Bear Lake and Los Angeles – that will join Sacramento, Davis Santa Rosa, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Visalia. Pasadena and Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills as host cities along the route.

Bakersfield is among the largest city in the Southern Central Valley and will welcome cyclists as they make their way from Visalia through Kern County. “While our beautiful bluffs and mountains add to the natural beauty of our area, they provide the perfect topography for bicycle racing. I’m even more excited for the residents of our community, said Kern County Third District Supervisor Mike Maggard.

The Amgen Tour of California draws some of the world’s most renowned and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, World Champions and Olympic medalists that include lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Geogre Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.

Returning as the title sponsor for the fifth consecutive year, Amgen will continue to leverage the race to raise awareness and support for people affected by cancer through the Breakaway from Cancer™ [http://www.breakawayfromcancer.com/] initiative. A leading global biotechnology company with headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California., one of the 2010 race host cities.

Bakersfield will host stage five of the event which will take the riders from Visalia to Bakersfield on Thursday, May 20, 2010..

For more information about the 2010 Amgen Tour of California, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. This event will be an exciting experience for the local racers as well as the residents of Bakersfield.

[source: Amgen Media Release]

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