Designs Envisioned by Riders Will Be Available to Public

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., - Oakley, Inc. today announced updates regarding the 2009 Tour de France and the concurrent worldwide release of JAWBONE(TM), a revolutionary breakthrough in performance eyewear. Details were provided on specific color combinations of JAWBONE crafted for Tour riders who will rely on the product’s new design technologies in competition. The company noted that the Oakley Custom Program (OCP) will allow fans to salute their heroes by selecting similar component color combinations.

“‘Science wrapped in art’ has been our aspiration from day one. The Tour de France presents a perfect platform for us to unleash our new custom JAWBONE eyewear,” said Colin Baden, president of Oakley. “Our Tour riders are absolute originals, each with a unique style and approach to life. The Oakley Custom Program lets them take this unbelievable optical instrument called JAWBONE and make it their own by choosing colors — not just for the main frame but for four component categories as well. Performance becomes art, and with JAWBONE eyewear included in our custom program, consumers will have the same freedom to build their own unique version of this innovation,” Baden concluded.

Oakley riders George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Oscar Pereiro chose Pearl White for the frame color and White for the stem sleeves of their custom JAWBONE designs. For the jaw component that locks the interchangeable lenses into place, Hincapie picked Team Yellow while Cavendish went with Polished White and Pereiro opted for Pearl White. A “bolt” component of Oakley’s new SwitchLock(TM) Technology turns science into an accent of style, and both Hincapie and Cavendish selected Pearl White for this part of the design while Pereiro went with Blue. Hincapie completed his custom frame with an Oakley icon in Gunmetal. Cavendish chose Yellow for the icon while Pereiro completed his red/white/blue theme with Team Red.

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Vancouver-Based Eyewear Manufacturer Strikes 3-Year Licensing Deal for Tour de France

NORTH VANCOUVER, CANADA – As the number one most viewed annual sporting event in the world, the annual Le Tour de France cycling race is a popular and highly anticipated event every year. With a company and ownership background deeply rooted in the bicycling industry, Vancouver, Canada-based Suntech Optics has signed a three-year licensing deal with Amaury Sport Organization (referred to as ASO owner and organizer of Le Tour de France) as exclusive North American eyewear supplier for the Tour de France brand.

“I believe the best results come from great teamwork,” enthused Melanie Martin, owner and CEO, “and this is an incredibly exciting partnership.”

With the launch of their Tour de France logoed eyewear set for 2010, Suntech Optics will have the exclusive rights to sunglasses throughout North America via mass markets, sporting goods and bike specialty shops. Working with MODA International Marketing — the exclusive Licensing Agent for Le Tour de France in North America – Suntech Optics will design a collection of cycling inspired styles to showcase the Tour de France logo. These styles will come in different sized frames to fit a variety of Tour de France fans.

Martin continued, “With over two decades of designing eyewear for cyclists through our sister brand Ryders, we feel this partnership is a natural marriage of authentic design, product expertise and a strong brand name.”

With the increased exposure the Tour de France has received over the last decade garnering more live spectators (more than 14.5 million) than the Olympics and World Cup combined, Suntech Optics looks to provide consumers, fans and race supporters with high-quality, sunglasses that capture the greatness of this amazing race.

While considering the possibilities of this opportunity, President & COO James Murray acknowledged, “It’s exciting to be able to bring a product to market that inspires people and allows them to be part of this amazing world event – Le Tour de France.”

“Suntech Optics will give consumers the opportunity to purchase “Official” Le Tour de France eyewear during the key selling season, while the event is happening, and throughout the year,” notes Michelle Alfandari, president of MODA International Marketing. “With the popularity of cycling, Le Tour de France represents an active lifestyle brand conveying enormous credibility of form and function for sunglasses.”

Frédéric Viargues, Chef de Groupe Commercial et Licences Service Marketing Operationnel says, “I am very pleased with this new association and the quality product that Suntech Optics produces. I look forward to a successful, long-term relationship with Suntech Optics.”