FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
March 6, 2006
WHEELS IN MOTION: FOR THE FIRST
TIME,
FORD TOUR DE GEORGIA
VENTURES
BEYOND STATE LINES TO CHATTANOOGA,
TENNESSEE
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (March 6, 2006) –
North America’s premier, professional cycling event has
enhanced its route in 2006, and for the first time, will venture
beyond the state of Georgia. On April 20, cyclists will start the
Stage 3 Individual Time Trial in Chickamauga, Ga. and will finish
in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn.
“We’re
absolutely thrilled that the Ford Tour de Georgia chose Chattanooga
to be a part of such a prestigious race,” said Rob Healy,
director of Outdoor Chattanooga. “With all of our exceptional
beauty and outdoor opportunities, this is the perfect location for
this type of event. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the
waterfront on a national and international
level.”
From April 18-23,
cyclists from around the world will be racing through North Georgia
and into Tennessee. The Tour will begin on Tuesday, April 18 in
Augusta, Ga. and culminate the 606-plus miles of racing with its
grand finale in Alpharetta, Ga. on Sunday, April 23. On Thursday,
April 20, Chattanooga will be a part of a unique mountain time
trial, beginning in Chickamauga, Ga., climbing up and over Lookout
Mountain and finishing on the all new waterfront. Over 100
cyclists in the Ford Tour de Georgia are expected to cross the
finish line from Noon to 2:00 p.m.
“Chattanooga
is one of the three new host cities in the 2006 Tour. Our
organization recognizes that Chattanooga offers a great deal of
amenities and opportunities for the huge crowds we are expecting
for the finish of the individual time trial. We know all the
professional teams in the Tour will find the course from
Chickamauga to Chattanooga quite challenging,” said Chris
Aronhalt, managing partner of Medalist Sports, the sports marketing
agency licensed to operate the Ford Tour de Georgia.
The Live Healthy
Georgia Expo is designed to entertain the crowd while the cyclists
roll in by providing a variety of interactive, health-focused
booths, displays, sponsor give-a- ways, food and fun activities for
kids and adults. The Expo opens at 11:00 a.m. and is FREE and
open to the public and promises to be a great time for the entire
family. Immediately following the race and expo, Chattanooga
will continue the fun into the night with its entertainment- packed
Finish Line Festival. The festival will start at 3:00 p.m.
and go until 8:00 p.m. on the Waterfront. Locals are encouraged to
join this day of fun and excitement, while thousands of spectators
gather along the river and listen to local favorites. The
musical line-up will feature the Rounders, Davey Smith and Here
Come the Mummies.
Memorial Health Care System’s Cancer
Services & Chattem, Inc. are Presenting Co- sponsors of the
Stage 3 Individual Time Trial in
Chattanooga
“We are honored to be part of this unique
cycling event that will call attention to healthy living and help
us enhance cancer care in the Southeast,” said Ruth Brinkley,
president and CEO of Memorial Health Care System. “This
sponsorship advances Memorial’s mission by bringing new life,
energy, and viability to our healing ministry. The funds
raised in Chattanooga will benefit our MaryEllen Locher Breast
Center and those on their cancer
journey.”
“We’re
very excited to name the IcyHot brand as the title sponsor for this
event, given its heritage with world-class athletes,” said
Zan Guerry, chairman & CEO of Chattem, Inc. “We recognize
the significance of the Ford Tour de Georgia in building awareness
and interest in Chattanooga and as a step in the right direction
toward attracting future events of equal
caliber.”
The Ford Tour de
Georgia Stage 3 Individual Time Trial is locally sponsored by: Gold
sponsorship – UnumProvident; Silver sponsorship – Clear
Channel Radio/Rock 105, News Channel 9; Bronze sponsorships –
Chattanooga Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Litespeed, Rock City
Gardens, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Chattanooga Times Free
Press, Clumpies Ice Cream Co., Outdoor Chattanooga/City of
Chattanooga; Partner – Chattanooga Area Convention &
Visitors Bureau.
If you would like
more information on sponsorship opportunities, call Cherita Adams
at Outdoor Chattanooga, 423.643.6884.
Call for
Volunteers
Volunteers are still needed to assist in a variety
of projects, including basic set-up and take down; distributing
materials; hanging banners, balloons, posters; assisting in
hospitality/media tents; and course marshals to control traffic
along the route, making sure the route is free of debris. If you
would like to volunteer, please visit http://www.fordtourdegeorgia.com
and click on the Volunteer icon on the
home page.
The Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors
Bureau is a non- profit, Hamilton County funded organization,
formed to strengthen the area economy through the marketing and
promotion of the Chattanooga area as a year-round destination for
meetings, conventions, and leisure travel.
###
ABOUT THE FORD TOUR DE
GEORGIA
The Ford Tour de Georgia is North America’s
premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival of
community activities. The Tour is held annually in the spring with
a varying route. It is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste
Internationale (UCI) and USA Cycling (USAC) as a 2.HC rating
(highest ranked event in North America), making the event one of
the top stage races for elite athletes around the world. The 2005
Tour was won by Tom Danielson (USA) of the Discovery Channel
Professional Cycling Team; champions from previous years include
Lance Armstrong (USA) in 2004 and Chris Horner (USA) 2003. The
Tour’s official beneficiary is the Georgia Cancer Coalition
(GCC). The Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Georgia Department of
Human Resources are teaming up to bring the Live Healthy Georgia
Expo to the finish cities of the 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia.
The Live Healthy Georgia Expo includes a variety of
interactive, health-focused booths, children's activities, food and
fun activities for all ages. The Ford Tour de Georgia is owned by
The Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) and is
managed by Medalist Sports. Merchandise and the latest
updates are available at the official website,
www.fordtourdegeorgia.com
.
