Pro-Cyclists Ivan Dominguez and Jose Manuel “Chepe” Garcia in Solvang for pre-season training camp preparing for Tour of California will speak at event.

WHAT: Assembly in English and Spanish with Local Schoolchildren (grades 4-6) as part of the educational curriculum of the Amgen Tour of California {ATOC).

WHO: Professional Cyclists Ivan Dominguez and Jose Manuel “Chepe” Garcia of Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team will speak with 200+ students in the 4th, 5th and 6th grades about their careers in cycling. The event is coordinated by 6th grade teacher/cyclist John Padfield (serving as volunteer Director of Education Outreach for the ATOC Solvang Local Organizing Committee)

WHERE: Solvang Elementary School Gym, 565 Atterdag Road, Solvang

WHEN: Monday, January 28, 2008, 2:00-3:00PM

WHY: In preparation for the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race, a specially developed classroom curriculum is being distributed to fourth- through sixth-grade instructors and students in the 12 California “host” cities selected for the 650-mile race scheduled for February 17-24, 2008. A free English & Spanish booklet given to students provides information about the state of California, including targeted lesson plans that use cycling as a means to teach core subjects such as math, science and geography.

MORE: The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team is conducting its pre-season training camp in Solvang January 17-February 1 in preparation for the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. The team has a solid core of returning veteran racers led by “the Cuban missile” Ivan Dominguez who had 15 wins in 2007–his most successful season ever along with “Chepe” Garcia, 10-year pro-rider and two-time Mexican National Champion. Based in Newport Beach, California, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Cycling, L.L.C, the United Pro Cycling Team is owned and operated by Sean Tucker. Comprised of some of the top cycling talent in the country, it is positioned to be the premier cycling team in America. www.toyota-united.com