SANTA CLARITA, December 28, 2006 – Santa Clarita has “cycle mania”.  In anticipation of the Amgen Tour of California, which will reach Santa Clarita in February, Santa Clarita schools will host a series of contests and group participation events to rally the community in advance of America’s most important cycling race and increase students’ awareness of cycling and its benefits.

 

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France style cycling road race in which 16 of the world’s top professional cycling teams will compete along a demanding 650-mile course from San Francisco to Long Beach, California.  The City of Santa Clarita will host the finish of Stage 6 on Saturday, February 24, 2006.

 

“It is an honor to have the Amgen Tour of California come to the City of Santa Clarita," commented Mayor Marsha McLean.  “We are excited to have local schools involved in spreading the message of health and fitness as well as having the community rally for such a prestigious event.”

 

Santa Clarita schools will compete in a banner contest, spirit bell contest, best school participation contest, drawing, coloring, and short story contest. Hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 years old can enter a drawing, coloring, or short story depicting someone training to race in the Tour of California.  Additionally, elementary, junior high, and high schools have the opportunity to participate by coming out to cheer on the cyclists and make a banner for their favorite professional cyclist or team.

 

The school with the highest participation rate will win the first annual Spirit Bell and a full set of athletic equipment from Easton Sports.  Winners will be awarded on the Amgen Tour of California stage on the day of the event. Generous awards for the school program have been donated by Pacific Bicycles, Bell Helmets, Vans Shoes, and Easton Sports. “By bringing the Amgen Tour of California to City schools, it will reinforce to our youth that hard work, dedication, and the love of a sport or anything you put your heart into, can help you accomplish anything,” McLean said.

 

A series of events, including a family ride and lifestyle festival, will lead up to the race. For all information regarding the Amgen Tour of California, residents can log on to www.Santa-Clarita.com/TourofCA.