Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2008

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: FOLLOWING DIRECT APPEAL TO CEO, AMD TO SPONSOR PRESTIGIOUS "TOUR OF BATTENKILL"- SPONSORSHIP WILL ENHANCE EXPOSURE, ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS & ATHLETES, BOOST ECONOMY

In Just Five Years, Locally-Held Race Has Become Largest Amateur Biking Race in Country and Has Provided Critical Boon to Local Economy

AMD Sponsorship Will Help Attract Top Professional Athletes, Increase Exposure, Bring Over 20,000 Participants and Spectators

Schumer Pushed for AMD Sponsorship of Race to Help Bring Much Needed Tourism Dollars to County and Surrounding Region

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that after lobbying Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) to sponsor the prestigious “Tour of the Battenkill,” the company will financially support this year's race. Last year, the race drew 15,000 participants and spectators and was an economic boon for the area. AMD sponsorship will help boost the race's exposure among top athletes and tourists, and bring much-needed tourism dollars to the region. In fact, registration for the April race began this past Sunday night and in less than 48 hours over 1,100 participants from throughout the northeast had signed up to participate in the event.

In an effort to enhance the economic impact of the race on the region, this month Schumer called AMD Executive Chairman Hector Ruiz to bring the race to his attention. AMD has a history in the sport acting as a secondary sponsor to Lance Armstrong’s Discovery and US Postal Teams, making it a perfect match for the sponsorship. Dr. Ruiz is an avid cyclist and Schumer is known for his frequent and far-flung recreational cycling tours of New York. Today, Schumer announced that AMD has agreed to sponsor the locally-held tour.

“The Tour of the Battenkill is one of the premier road races in the country and AMD sponsorship is only going to enhance its reputation,” said Schumer. “The race will bring much needed tourism revenue to Washington County and the entire Capital Region by attracting top athletes and developing the event to bring even more economic stimulus to the area. AMD’s past history with cycling sponsorships and the construction of their new chip fab plant in the area make them a perfect fit for this top-notch race. I am so pleased that I was able to help make this partnership possible.”

The Tour of the Battenkill (TOB) is a pro-am bicycle race in Southern Washington County. Although it is a road-bike only event, one-third of the race’s 100 kilometers are on harsh and unforgiving hard-packed dirt roads that emulate the legendary cobble-stone courses in Belgium and Northern France earning it the title of America’s “Queen of the Classics.” The professional race is scheduled to traverse the circuit twice making it a grueling 200k race.

The race, which in five years has become the largest amateur bike race in the country, takes place in April in southern Washington County. The event attracted 15,000 visitors last year from all over the northeast and the inclusion of a new professional race is estimated to attract over 20,000 participants and spectators who all lodge, dine and visit the region. The race also helps to benefit the Washington County Library system and the “Farm Team Cycling” – a program for local youth.

“AMD and the Tour of Battenkill are a match made in heaven,” Schumer noted. “AMD Sponsorship of this is a win-win-win for the region - help expand the Tour, bring top professional cyclists to the roads of Washington County and provide a shot in the arm for the local economy.”

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