Yakima Becomes Official Rack Sponsor of Tour De Georgia

BEAVERTON, ORE. (April 10, 2007) – Yakima, an innovator in vehicle rack solutions for boats, bikes, winter sports gear, home storage and cargo options, today announced its sponsorship of Tour de Georgia, North America’s premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival from Peachtree City to Atlanta, Ga., April 16-22. Yakima’s racks, including base systems and the new SprocketRocket and HighRoller bike mounts, will be seen on all Tour de Georgia vehicles. Tour spectators will be able to speak with Yakima representatives and see Yakima products first-hand at each finish line within the tour’s Live Healthy Georgia Expo, a variety of interactive, health-focused exhibits, children’s activities, food and fun activities for all ages, at the finish line of each host venue.

“The Tour de Georgia reached out to Yakima because of our innovative products, heritage and brand leadership within the cycling community,” said Joel Grabenstein, field marketing manager for Yakima. “This respected event reinforces our commitment to provide products not only built for and used by world class cycling teams, but also for everyday outdoor enthusiasts.”
Fifteen of the best national and international cycling teams will race 667 miles in seven days through the Georgia and Tennessee countryside, including historic Civil War battlefields and rolling rivers and mountains.

The 2007 Tour de Georgia takes cyclists and spectators through 12 host venues including Peachtree City, Macon, Thomaston, Rome, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Brasstown Bald Mountain, Dalton, Lake Lanier Islands, Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn. Two of the past four winners of the Tour de Georgia have gone on to win the Tour de France, Americans Lance Armstrong in 2004 and last year’s winner, Floyd Landis.

”This partnership between Yakima and Tour de Georgia creates a great union of world class products with a world class event,” said Chris Aronhalt, executive director of the Tour de Georgia and managing partner of Medalist Sports, the tour management company. “Yakima’s customer service and product line go hand in hand with the Tour de Georgia. We encourage everyone to “Go Mighty” in Georgia this April.”

About Yakima
Yakima is a world leader in the design and manufacture of destination hardware and gear management solutions. Yakima’s products include: vehicle racks for bikes, boats, ski equipment and gear; a line of cargo boxes and bags for a variety of needs; and Ground Control, an integrated gear management system for the home. Yakima Products is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. For more information, visit www.yakima.com.

About Tour de Georgia
The Tour de Georgia is North America’s premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival of community activities. The Tour was first held in 2003 and has become a spring tradition with a varying route of over 600 miles of racing. Over 2.3 million spectators have traveled to Georgia to watch the event in the past four years, and direct economic impact has totaled over $121 million. The event is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (2.HC ranking) and USA Cycling, Inc. (USA Cycling Pro Tour Calendar), making the event one of the top stage races for elite athletes around the world. Two of the past four winners have also gone on to the Tour de France, including 2004 champion Lance Armstrong. The Tour’s official beneficiary is the Georgia Cancer Coalition. The Tour de Georgia is owned by the Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) and is managed by Medalist Sports (www.medalistsports.com). Route information, merchandise and sponsor information can be found on the official website, www.tourdegeorgia.com.


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