Opening gala for world's top cyclists at Lake Tahoe's MontBleu

(Press Release) LAKE TAHOE — From spandex to black tie — set your sights on some of the world’s top cyclists for an elegant evening celebrating the overall start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in North America. Wine, dine and mingle during the Opening Gala and Official Team Introduction, Friday, May 13 at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa’s Theater in South Lake Tahoe.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will feature 19 elite teams, including:

— UCI (International Cycling Union) ProTeams: Sky ProCycling (GBR); Rabobank Cycling Team (NED); Team Garmin-Cervélo (USA); HTC-Highroad (USA); Team RadioShack (USA); Liquigas-Cannondale (ITA); Saxo Bank Sungard (DEN); Leopard Trek (LUX); BMC Racing Team (USA)

— UCI Professional Continental Teams: Team NetApp (GER); Team Type 1-sanofi aventis (USA); Team Spidertech Powered By C10 (CAN); UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling (USA)

— UCI Continental Teams: Movistar Team (COL); Jamis-Sutter Home (USA); Kelly Benefit Strategies – Optum Health (USA); Bissell Pro Cycling (USA); Jelly Belly p/b Kenda (USA) and Kenda/5-Hour Energy Pro Cycling p/b Geargrinder (USA)

As the Overall Start City for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, Lake Tahoe will host an elegant evening featuring the introduction of all the participating teams and cyclists. Upon arrival at 6 p.m., piano music will be playing as guests mingle and bid on silent auction items, including signed team jerseys, sports memorabilia and attractive Lake Tahoe vacation packages.

At 7 p.m. the main event begins with a four-course dinner featuring an entrée of Filet Mignon with a Red Wine Demi-Glace, Gorgonzola & Pine Nut Crusted Chilean Sea Bass, Roasted Shallot Mashed Potatoes and Blistered Asparagus. The event will be emceed by the race’s broadcast team who will introduce the teams and riders during dinner.

A percentage of each ticket sold will benefitBreakaway from Cancer®, an initiative dedicated to empowering patients with education, resources and hope. Breakaway from Cancer®represents a partnership between Amgen and its nonprofit partners: Prevent Cancer Foundation, Cancer Support Community (formerly The Wellness Community), Patient Advocate Foundation and National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship.

Individual Gala tickets are $300 and a table for 10 people is $2,500. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com.

Local sponsorship opportunities for the Amgen Tour of California include five levels ranging from the coveted Yellow Jersey at $25,000 to the White Jersey at $1,000. Higher level sponsorship amenities include tickets to the Opening Gala and Official Team Introductions; registration for the Lake Tahoe Legends Ride; access to VIP Hospitality, inclusion in big screen commercials, and social media and website exposure. For more information about sponsorship, visit www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com or contact Michael Milthorpe: michaelmilthorpe@milthorpesports.com, (386) 673-4377.

Local sponsors for the two Lake Tahoe Stages include: Korbel California Champagne, Tahoe Center for Orthopedics at Barton Health and Sacramento County Airport.

Primary local hotel supporters are: Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort, Harrah’s/Harveys, Horizon Casino Resort, MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa, Northstar-at-Tahoe, The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe, Resort at Squaw Creek and The Village at Squaw.

For additional supporters visit: TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com.

Area media supporters include: KRNV-TV - Reno’s NBC affiliate, KTHO radio, Lake Tahoe Action Magazine, Outside Television Lake Tahoe, Tahoe TV and Tahoe Quarterly.

The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover nearly 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling. Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:

Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside toPaso Robles
Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks

For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events (including the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown leading up to the race) and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia.com follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For details about the Tour and information about volunteering, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.