Armstrong To Race Tour of Georgia

ATLANTA, Ga. (January 23, 2004) – The road to France now goes through
Georgia. The United States Postal Service Professional Cycling Team®,
which is presented by Berry Floor, has committed to enter a full squad
in the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia, April 20 to 25. Leading the way for
the USPS Pro Cycling team will be five-time Tour de France champion
Lance Armstrong.

"I am pleased to confirm that Lance will be part of the USPS Pro Cycling
Team that will compete in the Dodge Tour de Georgia this year," said
Bill Stapleton, principal at Capital Sports & Entertainment, the agency
that represents Armstrong. "This is a great opportunity for him as he
prepares for his attempt to win a historic sixth Tour de France. And he
is pleased that the Tour directly supports the Georgia Cancer
Coalition."

The USPS Pro Cycling Team is a Division I Trade Team, as rated by the
international governing body of cycling, the Union Cycliste
International (UCI). It will be just one of 18 teams expected to compete
in the country’s premier, professional cycling stage race. Other UCI
Division I and II trade teams, and U.S. division I, II and III teams are
currently under consideration, representing an elite field of the
world’s best road cyclists.

The Dodge Tour de Georgia is the highest ranked stage race in the U.S.
by the USA Cycling (USAC). It is the only stage race of this length in
the U.S. that is sanctioned by the UCI for 2004 that offers the coveted
points that competitors need for year-end rankings.

"Following a successful first year, we are pleased the Dodge Tour de
Georgia has fit into our team’s racing schedule in 2004, a year that
could be a historic one for both our team and the sport," said Johan
Bruyneel, sports manager of the USPS cycling team. "Led by Lance, we
will send a strong team to the race in the hopes of improving on our
team’s fourth and fifth place overall finishes last year."

A native of Austin, Texas, Armstrong first made headlines by winning the
1991 U.S. National Amateur Championship. He turned professional after
the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and the following year won the World
Road Race Championship. After winning his second Tour duPont stage race
in the U.S. and competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Armstrong
was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment and recovery for the
next five months. He returned to competitive cycling in 1998 and a year
later won his first of five consecutive Tour de France races.

USPS and Lance Armstrong Commit to Dodge Tour de Georgia "Dodge is very
pleased to again lend its support to what is fast becoming one of North
America's premiere sporting events," said Craig Fisher, director of
marketing and product planning for Dodge. "By renewing our sponsorship,
this affirms that the earned exposure, value and benefits already
realized for our brand and products is once again assured, while joining
the ongoing battle against cancer. Our support and justification is
further confirmed by the addition of cycling’s premiere athlete, Lance
Armstrong, to the roster of word-class competitors that will participate
in the event."

Dodge is the title sponsor of the 2004 Tour de Georgia. The U.S. Postal
Service is one of many other sponsors supporting the race this year. 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.

"The Dodge Tour de Georgia promises to be even more exciting than last
year. The addition of professional cycling’s premiere athlete will
certainly promote and highlight Georgia as a tourist destination and
generate a great deal of awareness for our message that the Tour is
‘Georgia’s race to defeat cancer’," said Stan Holm, executive director
of the Dodge Tour de Georgia. "And the Tour is particularly pleased that
we will provide a national platform in support of Lance’s mission to
make the fight against cancer a priority.

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. The Dodge Tour de Georgia is owned and operated by The
Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) in association with
the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDITT). Updates
regarding the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia will be posted at the official
website, www.tourdegeorgia.com.



--

i will be going to watch some of the stages since i live in GA. shoul
be fun to watch


-

"Time Cop" wrote in message
...
ATLANTA, Ga. (January 23, 2004) - The road to France now goes through
Georgia. The United States Postal Service Professional Cycling Team®,
which is presented by Berry Floor, has committed to enter a full squad
in the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia, April 20 to 25. Leading the way for
the USPS Pro Cycling team will be five-time Tour de France champion
Lance Armstrong.

"I am pleased to confirm that Lance will be part of the USPS Pro Cycling
Team that will compete in the Dodge Tour de Georgia this year," said
Bill Stapleton, principal at Capital Sports & Entertainment, the agency
that represents Armstrong. "This is a great opportunity for him as he
prepares for his attempt to win a historic sixth Tour de France. And he
is pleased that the Tour directly supports the Georgia Cancer
Coalition."

The USPS Pro Cycling Team is a Division I Trade Team, as rated by the
international governing body of cycling, the Union Cycliste
International (UCI). It will be just one of 18 teams expected to compete
in the country's premier, professional cycling stage race. Other UCI
Division I and II trade teams, and U.S. division I, II and III teams are
currently under consideration, representing an elite field of the
world's best road cyclists.

The Dodge Tour de Georgia is the highest ranked stage race in the U.S.
by the USA Cycling (USAC). It is the only stage race of this length in
the U.S. that is sanctioned by the UCI for 2004 that offers the coveted
points that competitors need for year-end rankings.

"Following a successful first year, we are pleased the Dodge Tour de
Georgia has fit into our team's racing schedule in 2004, a year that
could be a historic one for both our team and the sport," said Johan
Bruyneel, sports manager of the USPS cycling team. "Led by Lance, we
will send a strong team to the race in the hopes of improving on our
team's fourth and fifth place overall finishes last year."

A native of Austin, Texas, Armstrong first made headlines by winning the
1991 U.S. National Amateur Championship. He turned professional after
the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and the following year won the World
Road Race Championship. After winning his second Tour duPont stage race
in the U.S. and competing in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Armstrong
was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment and recovery for the
next five months. He returned to competitive cycling in 1998 and a year
later won his first of five consecutive Tour de France races.

USPS and Lance Armstrong Commit to Dodge Tour de Georgia "Dodge is very
pleased to again lend its support to what is fast becoming one of North
America's premiere sporting events," said Craig Fisher, director of
marketing and product planning for Dodge. "By renewing our sponsorship,
this affirms that the earned exposure, value and benefits already
realized for our brand and products is once again assured, while joining
the ongoing battle against cancer. Our support and justification is
further confirmed by the addition of cycling's premiere athlete, Lance
Armstrong, to the roster of word-class competitors that will participate
in the event."

Dodge is the title sponsor of the 2004 Tour de Georgia. The U.S. Postal
Service is one of many other sponsors supporting the race this year. 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.

"The Dodge Tour de Georgia promises to be even more exciting than last
year. The addition of professional cycling's premiere athlete will
certainly promote and highlight Georgia as a tourist destination and
generate a great deal of awareness for our message that the Tour is
'Georgia's race to defeat cancer'," said Stan Holm, executive director
of the Dodge Tour de Georgia. "And the Tour is particularly pleased that
we will provide a national platform in support of Lance's mission to
make the fight against cancer a priority.

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. The Dodge Tour de Georgia is owned and operated by The
Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) in association with
the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDITT). Updates
regarding the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia will be posted at the official
website, www.tourdegeorgia.com.


Now the Armstrong camp is saying "maybe ..." They say that certain comments
were taken out of context and no commitment to the Tour of GA has been made.

Bob C.

The report on cyclingnews.com that you refer to is outdated. Here's th
latest word from the "Armstrong Camp" that comes right from LA's agent

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lance to ride in Tour de Georgia It's official: Lance Armstrong wil
ride in the second annual Tour de Georgi

The North Georgia mountains will test Armstrong as he prepares for th
Tour de France, where he hopes to win a record sixth straight title

Armstrong's agent, Bill Stapleton, confirmed Thursday that America'
most famous cyclist will lead the U.S. Postal Service team as it vie
for a purse of more than $100,000. USPS rode here last year withou
Armstrong, who rarely competes in the United States

"We had 250,000 spectators last year and Lance alone will probabl
take us over a million this year," said Stan Holm, the race'
executive director

The Tour de Georgia secured Armstrong's participation a day after Dodg
announced its return as title sponsor. The stage race will end in metr
Atlanta -- although not necessarily downtown -- and Macon has put in
strong bid to host the start. The course will be finalized early nex
week. Attendance is free


-

"Time Cop" wrote in message
...
Armstrong's agent, Bill Stapleton, confirmed Thursday that America's
most famous cyclist will lead the U.S. Postal Service team as it vies
for a purse of more than $100,000. USPS rode here last year without
Armstrong, who rarely competes in the United States.

And Armstrong stated on Friday:

Regarding his race schedule, rumored to include a domestic stop at either
the Tour of Georgia or the Tour of the Gila in April, Armstrong said: "We'll
be starting in Portugal, then to Murcia like we've always done ... Milan-San
Remo, perhaps, Criterium International, Bicicleta Vasca, and the Tour de
France. As for a domestic race, we're still working on that. There will
definitely be a domestic race in April, either the Tour of Georgia or the
Tour of the Gila."


Perhaps Bill had not yet spoken to him.

just got this from Lancearmstrong.co

:: Lance to Decide on a North American Race this Wee

1/26 ~ We told you we'd keep you in the loop about when / where Lanc
will race in the USA this season - here's an official statement re
this matter - "Five-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong wil
have a decision on his North American race calendar this week. Despit
earlier news reports, no decision has been made regarding the Tour d
Georgia. "We are pleased to hear that the Tour of Georgia has secure
a renewal from Dodge as title sponsor," said Bill Stapleton, chie
executive officer of Tailwind Sports and Armstrong's agent. "Lance an
Johan are at team camp reviewing his training and race calendar. The
will determine which race will help prepare Lance for the Tour d
France," said Stapleton." - more as available..


-

Time Cop wrote:

The United States Postal Service Professional Cycling Team®,
which is presented by Berry Floor

Wow. Approx 1.6 lines.

Dan

Time Cop wrote:

"I am pleased to confirm that Lance will be part of the USPS Pro
Cycling Team that will compete in the Dodge Tour de Georgia this
year," said Bill Stapleton, principal at Capital Sports &
Entertainment, the agency that represents Armstrong. "This is a great
opportunity for him as he prepares for his attempt to win a historic
sixth Tour de France. And he is pleased that the Tour directly
supports the Georgia Cancer Coalition."

While other riders speak for themselves, Lance requires an official
spokesperson. Is this guy like cycling's Don King, or what?

In article m,
says...
ancer Coalition."

While other riders speak for themselves, Lance requires an official
spokesperson. Is this guy like cycling's Don King, or what?

spreading the wealth. Those mouthpieces don't work for free.
------------
Alex