Cycling: TAG Heuer to partner with the Amgen Tour of California

LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS, Switzerland, Jan. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TAG Heuer is very proud to partner for the first time for the 2017 edition with the Amgen Tour of California, America's most popular and prestigious annual cycling event. Beginning May 14^th in the state's capital of Sacramento, the world's best professional cyclists will compete over a challenging 700 plus mile course along California's most scenic highways, roadways and coastlines. The seven day, seven stage race will travel south through California's Central Coast, before finishing May 20 under the palms of Pasadena near Los Angeles.

With a roster brimming with the world's most elite international teams featuring National Champions, Olympic Medalists and Tour de France Stage Winners, the event is known for making cyclists like Peter Sagan, Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish household names.  In 2017, for the first time since it was founded in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California will be featured in the official UCI World Tour calendar.

Race owners and promoters AEG officially announced today that TAG Heuer will partner with the event as the Official Timekeeper of the Amgen Tour of California. The partnership further establishes TAG Heuer's position as preferred timekeeper for the major professional cycle races around the world.

The Swiss watch brand will also take on the designation of Official Watch partner and presenting sponsor of the Best Young Rider jersey awarded daily to the rider under the age of 23 with the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race to that point. This prestigious jersey, bearing TAG Heuer colours is being designed by Alec Monopoly, the brand's new Artist Provocateur.

Marc Biver, TAG Heuer's Global Sports Director, stated: "In America, cycling is the new golf. Thanks to the development of high-tech equipment accessible to the public, it now cuts across all social categories. The proof can be seen in Silicon Valley where, every lunchtime and evening, executives take to their full-carbon bikes en masse. Being appointed Official Timekeeper for the Amgen Tour of California is therefore an important step in TAG Heuer's development, both in cycling and in the USA."

Kristin Klein, Amgen Tour of California President and Executive Vice President of AEG Sports, stated: "There is no doubt that the TAG Heuer brand is associated both on the field of play and in the overall identity of the world's most important events.  We are proud that the  Amgen Tour of California and TAG Heuer names will now be synonymous with America's Greatest Race."

After a 20-year absence, TAG Heuer has made a high-profile return to cycling.  In 2017, the Swiss watch brand has become a partner to BMC Racing Team, the Dubai Tour and the Abu Dhabi Tour. Now, the Amgen Tour of California will be sporting TAG Heuer colours.

TAG Heuer and cycling: back in the saddle after a hiatus of more than 20 years

The first pairing of professional cycling with the brand dates back to 1946, when pocket chronometers for measuring time during races and trials are first mentioned in the brochure of Swiss watchmaker HEUER. In 1985 – more than 30 years ago – TAG Heuer ventured in earnest into the world of professional cycling as sponsor of the HEUER SKIL SEM team and its leader Sean Kelly. From 1986-1987 to 1990, the brand's involvement continued with Team KAS TAG HEUER and the American 7-Eleven Cycling Team, founded by none other than Jim Ochowicz – the current President and General Manager of BMC Racing Team whom TAG Heuer is partnering with again today. In 2017, BMC Racing Team, the Dubai Tour, the Abu Dhabi Tour, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and now the Amgen Tour of California will be on TAG Heuer time.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to 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. In 2017, the first-ever U.S. UCI WorldTour course will cover more than 575 miles through 12 Host Cities May 14-20. The Amgen Breakaway from Heart DiseaseTM Women's Race empowered with SRAM will run in Northern California May 11-14. More information is available at amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About AEG

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, AEG is the world's leading sports venue and live entertainment company. With offices on five continents, AEG operates in the following business segments: AEG Facilities, which is affiliated with or owns, manages or consults with more than 120 preeminent arenas, stadiums, theaters, clubs and convention centers around the world including The O2 Arena, the Sprint Center and the Mercedes-Benz Arenas; AEG Live, which is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music and special events and world-renowned festivals; AEG Real Estate, which develops world-class venues, as well as major sports and entertainment districts like STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE; AEG Sports, which is the world's largest operator of sports franchises and high-profile sporting events; and AEG Global Partnerships, which oversees worldwide sales and servicing of sponsorships including naming rights, premium seating and other strategic partnerships. Through its worldwide network of venues, portfolio of powerful sports and music brands and its integrated entertainment districts, AEG entertains more than 100 million guests annually. More information about AEG can be found at www.aegworldwide.com.

TAG Heuer International – Media relations:
Marine Lemonnier-Brennan – Email: [email protected] - +41 79 389 67 62

AEG & the Amgen Tour of California – Communications
Michael Roth – Email: [email protected] – 213-742-7155

SOURCE AEG

Related Links

http://www.aegworldwide.com