SRAM Corporation Title Sponsor of Silver City’s annual Tour of the Gila Cycling Event

Regarded as one of the tougher stage races in North America, the 23rd annual Tour of the Gila returns April 29-May 3, 2009, with SRAM Corporation as the new title sponsor.

“We are honored to welcome the SRAM Corporation as title sponsor,” said Michael Cerletti, Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department. “We are dedicated to the continued expansion of the Tour of the Gila, an important step in the process of proving the economic viability of New Mexico in the sporting world. The folks in Silver City are to be commended for their efforts in supporting what has become one of New Mexico’s more popular competitive athletic events and one that continues to have a huge economic impact in Grant County.”

The SRAM Tour of the Gila is the biggest and most prestigious cycling event in New Mexico, annually attracting 450 to 550 participants to Silver City from all over North America and the world. In previous years, cyclists from 32 states and 13 foreign countries have participated, with 50 percent of them coming from Colorado, Texas, Arizona and California.

“SRAM had been searching for a road cycling event to attach its name to for a few years,” said David Zimberoff, Global Marketing Director for the SRAM Corporation. “The Tour of the Gila represents the type of performance and passion that fits perfectly with our brand. We have provided Neutral Race Support for a few years now, and feel like its time to increase our presence given the amount of teams riding SRAM components now. We are very excited to become the title sponsor for this event, and look forward to a very strong promotional relationship for many years.”

Co-sponsors of this year’s event include the New Mexico Sports Authority (a program of the New Mexico Tourism Department), Tim Schoeny, the Town of Silver City, Holiday Inn Express, Champion Systems, Gila Hike & Bike, Southwest Bone & Joint Institute , Gila Regional Medical Center, Sparks Clinic, Dr. Gail Willow, James Hamilton Construction, Douglas Gorthy DDS, Econo Lodge, Comfort Inn,  Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta,  Hidalgo Medical Services, New Mexico Spokettes Racing Team, and Permian Basin Bicycle Association.

For more information, contact Lanny Olson, Tour of the Gila Sponsorship Director, 575-590-1076,
or visit www.tourofthegila.com.