Columbia sportswear Announced as Official SPORTSWEAR Partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2009) – AEG and Columbia Sportswear Company announced today that Columbia will be the official sportswear partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California professional cycling road race. Under the sponsorship, Columbia will outfit staff, VIPs, local volunteers and all VERSUS, official Web site and on-site announcers with industry-leading Columbia outdoor apparel that protects against rain, cold and even the sun’s harmful UV rays.

The recently expanded 750-mile, nine-day stage race, considered to be the most important and popular race held on U.S. soil, will take 17 of the world’s top professional cycling teams from Sacramento to San Diego County through some of the state’s most picturesque highways, roadways and highlights. Scheduled from February 14-22, 2009, the fourth-annual race will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes along the route. Columbia Sportswear Company also sponsors Team Columbia-Highroad, one of the 17 teams in the Tour.

“Columbia Sportswear is delighted to be the official sportswear sponsor of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, and to have our sponsored cycling team – Team Columbia-Highroad – compete in this prestigious race,” said Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear Company. “Columbia’s outdoor products are developed specifically to help people get outside and enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from the elements. This event offers an ideal environment to showcase the ability of Columbia’s innovative apparel, such as Omni-Shade sun-protective clothing, to meet the diverse needs of athletes, spectators, race organizers, media and all outdoor enthusiasts who will be drawn to this exciting event.”

Columbia also will have a significant presence at the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, where thousands of fans will engage in various cycling, healthy lifestyle and sponsor-supported activities adjacent to the finish line in each of the nine different cities where daily race stages finish. Additionally, Columbia’s sponsorship of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California will include VIP hospitality opportunities and promotional exposure through on-site signage, banner ads within the Amgen Tour of California official Web site and all race marketing materials.

“Columbia Sportswear’s long-standing tradition of creating clothing that allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy their activities longer and more comfortably makes it the perfect fit to be the official sportswear partner of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California,” said Andrew Messick, president of AEG Sports, presenter of the race. “This sponsorship is not only a great addition to the race, but also shows growth and commitment to the continued success of professional cycling in the United States.”

During the 2009 Amgen Tour of California, elite international and domestic cycling teams will traverse the state from north to south with scheduled stops in the following host cities: Sacramento, Davis, Santa Rosa, Sausalito, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Modesto, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Solvang, Santa Clarita, Pasadena, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.