Atlanta, Georgia (January 21, 2004) --Tour de Georgia officials
confirmed today that Dodge has renewed its title sponsorship for the 2004 event,
the country's premier, professional cycling stage race. The 2004 Dodge Tour de
Georgia will take place Tuesday, April 20 – Sunday, April 25, with proceeds
benefiting the Georgia Cancer Coalition.
"We are extremely pleased to renew Dodge as the title sponsor and to continue
building the prestige and global scope of the Dodge Tour de Georgia," said John
Rice, Chairman of the Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED), the
non-profit foundation of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism
that owns and operates the Tour. "With the corporate support and proven
expertise from Dodge, we are assured of making the 2004 event bigger and better
than ever."
Details of the Dodge's title sponsorship and involvement with dealerships
across the state will be announced at a media event in early February.
Confirmation of the race course and a list of the international teams committed
to participate in the event will also be made at this event.
"The Dodge Tour de Georgia showcases our state as a great place to live, to
work and to visit. This event is important not only because it has a positive
economic impact for our state, but also because it increases awareness for the
Georgia Cancer Coalition and its mission to defeat cancer," said Governor Sonny
Perdue.
Now a marquis race for national and international cycling teams, the Dodge
Tour de Georgia is the highest ranked stage race in the U.S. It is the only
stage race of this length in the country that is sanctioned by the Union
Cycliste International (UCI). For 2004 over 150 media representatives from
around the world are expected to register for credentials, giving the Dodge Tour
de Georgia a global audience and international prominence. Over 500,000
spectators are expected over the six days to watch the races and participate in
activities in local communities across the state.
About the Dodge Tour de Georgia
The Dodge Tour de Georgia is the largest multi-day stage race for
professional cyclists in North America, and serves as a rolling festival to
entertain and educate spectators across the state. It is sanctioned by the UCI
and USAC as a premier event for elite athletes around the world. The Tour's
official beneficiary is the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC), raising funds and
proactively promoting the objectives of cancer education, prevention, early
detection and treatment.
In April 2003, the inaugural six-day event involved 18 elite teams, with 144
athletes from 17 countries, who competed in a 613-mile journey across Georgia
for over $100,000 in prize money and prestigious awards. Over 250,000 spectators
witnessed the speed and precision of the competition and enjoyed a variety of
community events across 53 counties.
Updates regarding the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia will be posted at the
official website, www.tourdegeorgia.com.
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