LOS ANGELES, CA – Rock Racing, founded by cyclist and Rock & Republic CEO/Creative Director Michael Ball, and AEG today announced a sponsorship agreement that names Rock Racing as the official fashion apparel sponsor of the 2008 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race. Featuring elite professional teams racing from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena, the eight day stage race, which attracted over 1.6 million spectators in 2007, will take place February 17-24, 2008.

“Cycling brought structure, focus and direction to my life,” said Michael Ball, CEO and head designer for Rock & Republic. “Rock Racing is eager for the opportunity to be involved with a race of this caliber, further expanding our brand into an area that I am personally passionate about.”

With its sexy, rock star fashion and aggressive approach, Rock Racing brings the edge back to cycling. That same edge and style will soon be available to cyclists around the world, with the launch of Rock Racing merchandise. Rock Racing’s new line of apparel will be distributed to high-end specialty stores throughout the United States beginning in March 2008. The Rock Racing brand will be available in all of North America, Europe and Asia by 2010. The line will also expand its scope beyond cycling to provide a full line of premium sports apparel. The Rock Racing line premiers with jerseys, bibs, arm and leg warmers, hats, shoe covers, socks and track suits. As is true with all Rock & Republic lines, Rock Racing merchandise is designed and manufactured in-house using high quality fabric imported from Europe.

“The addition of Rock Racing as a founding partner of the Amgen Tour of California is a perfect fit,” said Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “Having an organization truly committed to promoting the sport of cycling is not only important to the growth of the Amgen Tour of California but also to recreational cyclists everywhere.”

A new addition to the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, the Rock Racing Podium Girls will be visible hostesses outfitted in Rock Racing apparel and featured daily at race functions as well as within the online and televised race coverage. The Rock Racing Podium Girls will award winner jerseys on stage during the awards ceremonies at the conclusion of each of the race’s eight stages. Additionally, they will appear at rider sign-in each morning and conduct meet-and-greets in the finishing cities, allowing fans the opportunity to meet their favorite Rock Racing Podium Girl.

In addition to active participation in the awards ceremonies, Rock Racing’s sponsorship will include a presence at the Health Net Lifestyle Festival and on course signage.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2008 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style road race presented by AEG that will challenge the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena from February 17-24, 2008.

ABOUT ROCK RACING
Michael Ball, CEO/Creative Director of Rock & Republic, channels his energy and passion for racing, fashion and living on the edge by creating new ideas. In 2002, Michael changed the face of the fashion industry when he launched the now infamous Rock & Republic. With the same signature aggressive approach, he now plans to change the face of the racing world.

First in his plans was to bring together a collection of young professional world-class riders to create the powerful and eclectic Rock Racing-Cycling. Cycling already offers intense competition, speed, thrilling chases, crashes and primal entertainment. The sponsorship integrates the Rock & Republic aesthetic into cycling; creating stylized uniforms for various races and bringing high-end fashion with an adventurous flair to the cycling tour. So, when the Rock Racing Cycling Team shows up for a race they arrive with the same flare and edge that is synonymous with Rock & Republic.

Rolling up in style, their Cadillac Escalades and the Rock Racing trailer deliver the first excitement of the day. Don’t expect just ordinary kits—not when Michael Ball is sponsoring you! The kits have a different color and design elements for each race, adding both style and sex appeal to the sport. But this team of riders is really what the excitement is all about. Ball challenged Haldane Morris to put together an all-star team comprised of all southern California riders, and he delivered. With the identity of each of the riders to be announced shortly, it is safe to say that the Rock Racing riders have the heart and desire to win like no other U.S. team. All fearless professional cyclists, this team shares the aggressive approach that has become Michael Ball’s signature.

ABOUT AEG
AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE and NOKIA Theatre Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, a Major League Lacrosse team, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the ING Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG LIVE, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 at 10:04 am and is filed under Rock Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.