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Metro Reaches Agreement with Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau to Partner with the Amgen Tour of California Race PASADENA, Calif., (January 16, 2008) -- Metro and the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) have joined forces to assist area residents and visitors with their transportation needs surrounding the highly anticipated finish of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race on February 24, 2008. According to an announcement today by Nan Marchand, executive director of the Pasadena CVB, Metro will provide rail service to and from Pasadena for the race and will host a Bicycle Valet Parking at the event’s Health Net Lifestyle Festival, where guests can enjoy family entertainment and race-related activities at the Rose Bowl that day. “Pasadena is a city known around the world for its high profile special events, and we anticipate thousands of visitors to be on hand for the exciting race finish,” said Marchand. “With Metro’s support and the support of area hotels and city services, we are planning ahead to make it a hassle-free, fun-filled day for residents and visitors alike.” The Pasadena CVB has arranged for several visitor hotel packages and has race, transportation and visitor information available at www.PasadenaCal.com. The Amgen Tour of California, set to take place February 17 through 24, is a ‘Tour de France-style’ cycling road race staged across many of California’s most scenic state highways, roadways and coastline drives. Already considered cycling’s most important and successful road race held in the United States, the event’s third running will cover more than 700 miles (increased from 650 miles in 2007) over the eight days. It is the first year that the race will finish in Pasadena and the suspenseful new race finish format will include a road race that day from Santa Clarita to Pasadena followed by a circuit race around the Rose Bowl. For the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, the Metro Gold Line will provide regular Sunday service to Memorial Park station, where shuttle bus service will be provided by the Pasadena CVB to the Rose Bowl every 25 minutes or less. Shuttle buses head sign will read Rose Bowl. Additionally, Metro will host the Bicycle Valet Parking with help from the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Participants will receive maps, bicycle tire patch kits and blinkers. With some streets blocked off for the race, Metro Rail remains the single best way to enjoy 2008 Amgen Tour of California events and avoid driving, parking and spending money on gas. Metro provides easy transportation to Pasadena via the Metro Gold Line from Union station in downtown Los Angeles and Sierra Madre Villa stations in eastern Pasadena, where you can find plenty of parking space. For more information about Metro bus and rail service visit www.metro.net or call 1 (800) COMMUTE. In just two years, the Amgen Tour of California has become the most successful race in the United States, both in attendance and economic growth. With more then three million spectators over the past two years, the 2007 race drew more than 1.8 million spectators, setting records for a single sporting event in the state of California, as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil. The race also has generated $100 million in economic growth for the state each year. Sanctioned by the UCI (Union Cycliste International) and USA Cycling, the Amgen Tour of California has drawn attention from cycling enthusiasts to first-time spectators, making it one of the most anticipated events on the international cycling calendar. Beginning with the Prologue in Palo Alto through the grand finale in Pasadena, the 2008 race will visit 12 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, while cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling. Stages for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California include:
For further information on the 2008 Amgen Tour California, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com for additional Tour information. About Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau Metro-008
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