Sacramento to Host 2009 Amgen Tour Start
Nine-day Stage Race begins Feb. 14 in Downtown Sacramento
SACRAMENTO, CA, January 23, 2009 - Sacramento readies for the start of the most important and popular cycling race on U. S. soil. The 2009 Amgen Tour of California will once again bring together a world-class field of cycling teams from multiple nations, including eight of the sport's top-rated ProTour teams. The entries for the fourth annual race will include Lance Armstrong in his first U.S. race out of retirement and the Amgen Tour of California's two-time defending champion Levi Leipheimer's team, Astana along with two of the top U.S.-based teams, Garmin-Slipstream (new to the ProTour circuit) and Team Columbia (formerly Team High Road). Also racing will be Team Saxo Bank, which finished in the top-three of the world rankings last season and Quick Step, which claimed 55 victories in the 2008 season.
The recently expanded 750-mile, nine-day stage race, will take the world's top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County from February 14-22, 2009.
Sacramento Race Day activities include a downtown Lifestyle Expo and a community ride along the actual route the racers will ride in the Prologue that afternoon. Thousands of cycling enthusiasts are expected to line the route around the California State Capitol building to cheer on the world-class racers.
The City of Sacramento, the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and AEG will host the Official Team Presentation and Gala for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, at Sacramento's Memorial Auditorium. A portion of the proceeds from the black tie-optional event will benefit Amgen's Breakaway from CancerTM initiative - a complementary component to Amgen's race sponsorship that is designed to increase awareness of the important resources available to cancer patients from prevention to education, and patient care to advocacy and financial support.
All of the professional cyclists competing in the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will attend the black tie-optional evening reception where the riders will be introduced on stage. Many of these athletes have competed in the Tour de France and previous Amgen Tour of California races.
"The opportunity to host the Opening Gala and official rider introduction is something we look forward to with tremendous excitement," said Steve Hammond, president and CEO of the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Not only will this event bring a substantial economic boost to this community, it allows us to foster community pride by showcasing Sacramento on a world stage and bringing some of the world's best athletes to our city."
For more information about 2009 Amgen Tour activities in Sacramento including the Official Gala and hotel packages, please visit : www.discovergold.org/amgen
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
