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TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED BY 2008 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA BRINGS

TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED BY 2008 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA BRINGS
ENHANCED LIVE RACE ACTION TO FANS AROUND THE WORLD

February 17-24 World-Class Stage Race Available Via Internet

LOS ANGELES, February 13, 2008 – This year, watching the most popular U.S. professional cycling race from the comfort of home, office or finish lines will be easier and more enjoyable than ever.

For fans unable to attend the 2008 Amgen Tour of California in person, and those watching from the finish lines, race presenter AEG Sports and their partners will webcast every minute of the live race action, relying on an array of the newest, most sophisticated broadcast components to provide an enhanced, virtual race experience that gets fans closer to the action. From February 17-24 at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com, cycling enthusiasts around the world will have the opportunity to watch the race live in full-screen format with multiple video streams, track specific riders by GPS, listen to insider race commentary and view detailed information about the race and its 136 elite riders.

As 17 of the world’s top professional cycling teams compete on a demanding 650-mile course from Palo Alto-Stanford University to Pasadena, Web site visitors will get a rider’s-eye view of the race; a team member’s vantage point through “Day in the Life” video diaries from a Jelly Belly Cycling Team rider; and live, as well as archived close-up race footage. Further expanding on the elements that the Amgen Tour of California Web site introduced last year, the enhanced site will now also feature fan-generated content, including a chat room and the opportunity for enthusiasts to upload their own race photos through a photo-sharing Web site.

“For the 2008 Amgen Tour of California, our goal was to create the most advanced, detailed and informative viewing experience ever provided for cycling fans across the globe,” said
Kristin Bachochin, senior director of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “Taking into account user feedback from the past two years, we utilized technology that will give fans the opportunity to truly experience the excitement of professional cycling from their computers.”

Back by popular demand is the Adobe Tour Tracker. Designed specifically for the Amgen Tour of California, it will employ the latest technology from founding partners Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) and Adobe to provide the ultimate viewing experience for cycling fanatics and casual observers alike. (The Adobe Tour Tracker requires Adobe Flash Player) Additionally, partner Tachyon Networks will provide technology that allows fans to experience the race action live from the finish line.

Some of the enhanced features of the Amgen Tour of California Web site include:
• GPS/RFID Tracking
o The Location Object Field Tracking (LOFT) beta technology provides the ability to track any of the 136 riders and/or 17 teams, which allows users to choose who they want to follow (provided by CSC)
• Video (The race uses Adobe Flash technology to bring an engaging online video experience to cycling fans.)
o Live video stream of each stage, from start to finish (Powered by Adobe Flash technology)
o Two video sources that will provide users with alternate viewing options (provided by Adobe)
o Enhanced user interface featuring elevation, route, rider and peloton positions and text and audio race commentary (provided by Adobe)
o Daily archived stage video clips (Streamed using Adobe Flash technology)
• Photos
o Professional photography uploaded several times throughout each day (Provided by CSC and Adobe)
o Ability to upload fan race photos to a photo-sharing Web site, which may be transferred to the Amgen Tour of California Web site
• Tour News and Updates
o Fan chat room
o Minute-by-minute textual race commentary
o Audio channel with live audio commentary from sports journalist Joe Silva and one of the most well-respected names in American professional cycling, Frankie Andreu. Also, live commentary from the road from Mari Holden, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist and former World Time Trial Champion
o The Amgen Tour of California mobile peloton will provide breaking news and updates via text messages. Additionally, for two dollars, fans can text “DONATE” to 222377 to donate money to Amgen’s Breakaway from CancerTM initiative and be entered into a drawing for an array of Amgen Tour of California prizes
At the race itself, the Adobe Tour Tracker will be accessible to special guests through the mobile communications solution provided by Tachyon Networks. Tachyon’s technology enhances the race experience in two ways – by enabling a web stream for the Adobe Tour Tracker at the stage finish lines in special viewing areas and by providing a transportable enterprise-grade communications network for the event organizers at each stage of the race.

“At Adobe, we look at the opportunity to work with the cutting-edge sport of professional cycling as a great way to push the envelope with our technology,” said Michael Gough, vice president of product experience, Adobe. “There are some really amazing things that happen at this intersection of emerging technologies and sports; the Tour Tracker is the latest example of this.” “

“CSC’s ‘LOFT’ technology will provide cycling fans with the opportunity to select and closely follow their favorite riders and teams online throughout the tour,” said Daniel Munyan, chief technologist for CSC’s Visibility Solutions. “As we deliver a brand new way to enjoy cycling, the Amgen Tour of California provides a showcase for our leading-edge sensor integration technologies that address the safety, location, security and compliance issues of companies and governments around the world.”

“Tachyon supports the Amgen Tour of California by providing remote communications facilities that can be up and running in ten minutes or less, regardless of location,” said Peter Carides, CEO of Tachyon. “Tachyon’s transportable solution helps extend and enhance access to the sights and sounds of the race and all of the latest race information, helping make the Amgen Tour of California one of the finest cycling events in the world.”

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Categories: Press-Releases, Tour of California
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One Response to “TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYED BY 2008 AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA BRINGS”

  1. I cant find the race on tv…… I live in the bay……I love the race but i cant watch it ….i have dish , there my next stop…..wtf

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