FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Melanie Rineer, Publicity Director
Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc.
520-745-2033 / sponsorship@perimeterbicycling.com
www.perimeterbicycling.com
2008 EL TOUR HONORS ROBBIE VENTURA
El Tour Champion, Vision Quest Founder and Tour de France Commentator
TUCSON, Ariz. (Sept. 4, 2008) -- Richard J. DeBernardis,
president and CEO of Perimeter Bicycling Association of America, Inc.,
announced today that the University Medical Center 26th El
Tour de Tucson presented by Diamond Ventures is dedicated to Robbie
Ventura of Wildwood, Ill. During a 12-year pro cycling career (the last 4 years
with the U.S. Postal squad), Robbie amassed over 70 victories and places 1st
in the 2001 and 2002 El Tour de Tucson.
Robbie started Vision Quest Coaching in 2000, working with
all types of endurance athletes. The success of his athletes has helped VQ grow
to more than four locations, over 30 coaches and hundreds of athletes. In
addition, he made his commentating debut on OLD (now Versus) during the 2006
Tour de France and was back in front of the Versus camera for the 2007 and 2008
Tours de France in an expanded role.
This year's event will officially be dedicated to Robbie on
Thursday, November 20, 2008 at the Tucson Convention Center. (For more
information on Robbie or an invitation to the Dedication Dinner, visit www.perimeterbicycling.com).
University Medical Center, recognized as one of "America's
Best Hospitals" by U.S. New & World Report, returns in the second year of a
three-year commitment as El Tour's title sponsor. UMC is Arizona's first Magnet
hospital and Southern Arizona's only Level I trauma Center and is committed to
the health and wellness of Tucson and the broader community it serves and now
employs over 3.500 to help achieve its mission. UMC operated the Peter and
Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic and is currently building the new Diamond
Children's Medical Center.
DeBernardis also announced that Diamond Ventures, Inc.
returns as El Tour's presenting sponsor for the ninth year in a tow. Diamond
Ventures is a Tucson-based full-service real estate company known for its
quality residential, retail, commercial and industrial planning and
development. Its residential developments are often recognized for their
numerous and carefully designed bicycling, walking and equestrian trails.
El Tour cyclists raise funds for Tu Nidito Children &
Family Services, the American Parkinson Disease Association, Water For People,
Ben's Bells Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Diamond Children's
Medical Center, other Perimeter Bicycling charities and the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society.
El Tour season begins on September 21st with the
Diamond Ventures 11th annual El Tour Kick-Off
Run/Walk in Marana,
followed by the Diamond Ventures 2nd annual El Tour Halloween
Run/Walk at Sycamore Park on October 26th.
The UMC El Tour Super Week includes a 3-day Bike, Fitness
& Health EXPO with the Michelob ULTRA Beer Garden, Sanofi-Aventis
Orientation Meetings, Wellness Hours, the Dedication Dinner, the Rusing &
Lopez 13th annual El Tour Golf Classic and the LeMond Fitness 8-day
Indoor El Tour program.
Ride day opens with the 109-mile Main Event followed by the
Cox Communications 80-mile El Tour, the Intuit 66-mile El Tour, the Town of Oro
Valley 35-mile El Tour and the TMC Kids & Family Fun Ride. Kids activities,
live bands, a beer garden, food, massages, the Grand Cycling Awards Ceremony
and a grand finale by the internationally renowned Flam Chen fire show round
out the El Tour Downtown Fiesta.
The event is also supported by AAA Landscape, Aquafina,
Arizona Office of Tourism, AZ-TV, Citi Cards, City of Tucson, City of Tucson
Water, Clif Bar, Cool 1450 AM, Cross Country Automotive Services, eSoles, Jim
Click Automotive, Golden Eagle Distributors, Greater Arizona Bicycling
Association, KGUN 9, Merlin, MTCVB, Metro Restaurants, Pepsi, Performance Bicycle
Shop, Pima County, Pizza Hut, Rio West, Rosemont Copper, SoBe, TriSports.com,
Tucson Home Magazine, Velo News, Wells Fargo Bank and XOOD.
The UMC 26th El Tour de Tucson presented by
Diamond Ventures will be held Saturday, November 22, 2008. Last year's
event drew 9,122 cyclists, 2,800 volunteers and 30,000 spectators. El Tour is
expected to bring in approximately $50 - $70 million to the Tucson area during
the course of the year, including $20 - $30 million on ride weekend alone.
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