USA Pro Cycling Challenge Introduces Millennium Promise Tshirts Designed By Tommy Hilfiger

NEW YORK, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Millennium Promise, the leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty, and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge today unveiled designs for bicycle-themed apparel created by Tommy Hilfiger.  There are two specific designs that promote Millennium Promise and a special program tied to the race called "Spokes of Change".  The USA Pro Cycling Challenge will donate all proceeds from the sale of these shirts to Millennium Promise.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110720/LA38264)

Hilfiger, who last year was named a Millennium Promise MDG Global Leader, has donated his resources to design these two specially designed shirts to benefit Millennium Promise. Merchandise will be sold online at http://shop.usaprocyclingchallenge.com and during the USA Pro Cycling Challenge August 22- 28.

This summer's showing of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, known as America's Pro Tour, will feature 128 of the world's top professional cyclists and is slated to be one of the largest professional cycling events in the United States.  In May, the race announced the donation of the presenting sponsorship to Millennium Promise, marking the first time a charity has received sponsorship rights in a professional sporting event in the United States. All proceeds raised from the sale of the merchandise will directly benefit Millennium Promise.  

"We are thrilled that Tommy Hilfiger and his extraordinary creative team are bringing their eminent talents to this exciting event," said Millennium Promise CEO John W. McArthur.  "This inaugural American race is a rare opportunity for leaders from sport, fashion, business and media to 'break from the pack' in pioneering new forms of collaboration to help end extreme poverty."

"I have been honored to work with Millennium Promise on initiatives to eradicate extreme poverty," said Tommy Hilfiger, Millennium Promise MDG Global Leader. "By donating and raising funds for the Millennium Village Project in Ruhiira, Uganda, we have been able to really make a difference in the lives of over 50,000 people. Buying the apparel for the USA Cycling Challenge is another way to support the Millennium Promise organization, which empowers people in areas of extreme poverty to become sustainable, for generations to come."

"The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is dedicated to using this international cycling competition to help promote the goals of Millennium Promise to end extreme poverty in our lifetime," said Shawn Hunter, co-chairman of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.  "The merchandise will give people across the globe the opportunity to showcase their commitment to the cause."

About Millennium Promise

Millennium Promise is the leading international non-profit organization solely committed to supporting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals to halve extreme poverty by 2015. In partnership with the Earth Institute at Columbia University and UNDP, Millennium Promise oversees the Millennium Villages Project, which supports integrated social and business development services for more than 500,000 people in rural communities across 10 countries in Africa. By engaging donor nations, corporations and the general public in this effort, our work is premised on the belief that, for the first time in history, our generation has the opportunity to end extreme poverty, hunger and disease disparities. For more information, visit www.millenniumpromise.org or follow on Twitter at @Promise.

About the USA Pro Cycling Challenge

The USA Pro Cycling Challenge, "America's Pro Tour", is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history and one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States.  For seven consecutive days, 128 of the world's top athletes will race across nearly 600 miles through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they've ever had to endure, more than two miles in elevation.  It's the best of the best in professional cycling, competing on a challenging course through some of America's most beautiful scenery, including cities such as Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs.  

As the interest in professional cycling continues to grow as a global sport, (which is evident by the addition of two new UCI-sanctioned races this year alone in Beijing and Quebec). The USA Pro Cycling Challenge becomes the second major anchor events for the United States.

The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 22-28, 2011.  With more than one million spectators expected at the event, as well as national television exposure on NBC and VERSUS, the USA Pro Cycling Challenge will be one of the largest cycling events in United States history.  

Spectators of this race will see Olympians, World Champions and Tour de France competitors.  Fans worldwide will have access to the competition and riders like never before with the most advanced, interactive online, smartphone and broadcast television experience presented to date in professional cycling.

More information can be found on the website www.USAprocyclingchallenge.com and Twitter page @USAProChallenge.

About The Tommy Hilfiger Group

With a premium lifestyle brand portfolio that includes Tommy Hilfiger and Hilfiger Denim, the Tommy Hilfiger Group is one of the world's most recognized designer apparel groups. Its focus is designing and marketing high-quality menswear, womenswear, children's apparel and denim collections. Through select licensees, the Group offers complementary lifestyle products such as accessories, fragrances and home furnishings.  Merchandise under the Tommy Hilfiger brands is available to consumers worldwide through an extensive network of Tommy Hilfiger retail stores, leading specialty and department stores and other select retailers and retail channels. For additional information about the Tommy Hilfiger Group, please visit www.tommy.com.

About PVH Corp.

PVH Corp., one of the world's largest apparel companies, owns and markets the iconic Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands worldwide.  It is the world's largest shirt and neckwear company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud and DKNY.

Contact: Heather Krug, Rogers & Cowan, 310-854-8156 or [email protected].

SOURCE USA Pro Cycling Challenge