For Immediate Release -- May 9, 2008

Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team Makes Donation to Fallen Competitor Who Was Paralyzed at Tour of Gila  

Team Will Auction off Signed Team Jersey on eBay to Raise Additional Funds

Bend, OR -- The Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team announced today that its riders and staff donated $5,000 cash to Fausto Munoz Esparza, the rider who was paralyzed in a horrific high-speed crash in the Sunday, May 4, final stage of the Tour of Gila in Silver City, New Mexico. The cash consists of the riders' prize money they earned over last week's 5-day Tour of Gila and staff donations.

In addition, Toyota-United will auction off a team jersey signed by all 14 riders on eBay beginning Monday, May 12 in order to provide the general public with an opportunity to show their support for Fausto and his family.

Esparza 33, a former Mexican Nation Champion and father of three children, is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit of El Paso's Thomason Hospital in Texas with a broken back which has left him paralyzed from the waist down.  "He is very depressed and not sure what to make of this terrible situation.  His wife, three children and parents have all come to El Paso to be by his side for the next three weeks until he gets out of the hospital" said Jose Manuel "Chepe" Garcia a Toyota-United rider and personal friend of Esparza.

"When I first heard how bad his accident was from Scott Moninger, (Asst. Team Director for Toyota-United) I immediately sprung into action and called Chepe who is a friend of Fausto's to see what was up.  I could hear in his voice how upset he was and how Fausto is very depressed and makes his living racing a bike, which is no longer the case.  Then Chepe told me how Fausto has three children and a wife to support.  Being the Team Owner watching my riders risk everything each week and being married with a baby girl on the way in September, the whole situation really hit home for me.  I then spoke with our riders and staff and we all agreed to do something for Fausto no matter how small it may be; but we want to start the ball rolling in hopes that other teams and fans will follow suit to help Fausto in his time of need" said Team Owner Sean Tucker.

Supporters may visit the Toyota-United website beginning Monday May 12th to link to an auction of a team jersey signed by all 14 members of the team to raise additional funds.  www.toyota-united.com

In addition, people may make a private donation to:

Wells Fargo Bank

1201 N. Pope Street

Silver City, NM  88061

Attn: Fausto Munoz Esparza Donation Fund

Letters can be sent to:

Patient: Fausto Esparza, ICU/12

C/O Thomason Hospital

4815 Alameda Avenue

El Paso, TX  79905

Like he did for Dominique Rolling after his stage win at the Amgen Tour of California, Toyota-United Pro Cycling Team owner Sean Tucker put Ivan Dominguez on a Times Square big screen after his Tour of Georgia Stage 1 win.

The victory ensured that Toyota-United remains the only team in the world to have won at least one stage in every major American tour over the past three seasons.

You can listen to Sean Tucker talk about the team, why Rollin is know as "The Horse" and the future of American cycling at Bicycling.net.

Olympian Jeff Galloway is conducting free clinics throughout the United States to help both novice and experienced runners make the most of their ability.

Jeff has coached over 250,000 runners to their goals and is the author of more than a dozen books on running. An All-American runner at Wesleyan University, he has developed clinics for NASA astronauts, vice-president Al Gore and a variety of North American corporations. He also served on the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games, designing a heritage program to bring the Olympic excitement and fitness into area schools.

These lively sessions feature plenty of time for individual questions and cover key points that include:

-Maximizing training effect in a minimum of time

-How to train for a marathon/half marathon and not be tired

-How to stay injury free

-How the run-walk-run method allows you to run faster in races

-Fat burning tips

-Nutrition for running

-How to be more motivated

For specific locations and times, visit JeffGalloway.com . Dates and times subject to change.

• Daytona, FL -- April 19

• Sarasota, FL -- April 19

• Tampa, FL -- April 20

• Lakeland, FL -- April 20

• Charlotte, NC -- April 23

• Raleigh, NC -- May 3

• New York, NY -- May 5

• Mahwah, NJ -- May 6

• Springfield, MO -- May 12

• Salt Lake City, UT -- May 14

• Dallas, TX -- June 7

• Temple, TX (Scott & White Half) -- June 8

• Orlando, FL -- June 28

• Sacramento, CA -- July 10

• Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- July 26

• Pensacola, FL -- August 9

• Los Angeles, CA -- August 16

• Albany, GA -- August 23

In addition, Jeff offers running schools in four- to five-hour sessions with individualized form evaluation, personal training information, priority email access afterward and more. Go to JeffGalloway.com for further information about registering, tuition, and details on exact times and locations.

• San Jose, California - Thursday, April 24

• Conway, Arkansas - Saturday, May 10, noon-5 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, 900 Oak Street, Conway 72032

• Dallas, Texas - Saturday, June 7

• Austin, Texas - Sunday, June 8

• Orlando, Florida - Saturday, June 28

• Sacramento, California - Thursday, July 10

• Fresno, California - Monday, July 21

• Fargo, North Dakota - Saturday, July 26

• Hawkinsville, Georgia - Saturday, October 11

• Princeton, New Jersey - Sunday, December 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOW THIS IS POSITIVE SPIN

FRAN DRESCHER AND THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS PLEDGE TO JOIN

‘SPINNING® NATION’, A NATIONWIDE DAY OF SPINNING® TO CHANGE

THE WORLD.

(March 12, 2008 Los Angeles) This spring, fundraising for charities will take on a whole

new spin. On June 28, thousands of Spinning® enthusiasts across the country will join

actress Fran Drescher and other actors, athletes and enthusiasts to make the U.S. a

“Spinning® Nation”. The largest fundraising event of its kind, registered fundraisers will

participate in four consecutive one-hour classes conducted in licensed Spinning®

facilities throughout the 50 states. Each rider will have raised at least $250 in pledges,

and collected funds will be donated to Athletes for a Cure, The AIDS Research Alliance

and The Cancer Schmancer Movement.

Response to “Spinning® Nation” has already been overwhelming. According to Scott

Zagarino, Executive Director of event-developer Sportsgrants, Inc., over 150 clubs

signed up to participate during the first 10 days of registration. “We designed the event

to accommodate up to 500 clubs which we thought was a very ambitious goal,” said

Zagarino. “However, we have experienced such enthusiastic support for ‘Spinning®

Nation’ we may have to expand the parameters to include more clubs who want to take

part.”

“Spinning® Nation” will be a day that marks several firsts in event fundraising. Mad

Dogg Athletics Inc., owners of the Spinning® trademark, has for the first time endorsed a

single nationwide charitable event, and health clubs from coast to coast have never before

joined together to simultaneously conduct the same charitable program. In addition, this

will be the first time three charitable organizations with diverse constituencies have ever

partnered for a single event, one of the goals of the Sportsgrants, Inc. organization. “In

2007, various charity events held in the US raised 43 billion dollars, but at a cost of 57

billion dollars,” commented Zagarino. “We hope to change that fundraising paradigm

through Sportsgrants, Inc. by fostering innovative ideas and cooperation among

foundations, businesses and private citizens that result in effective fundraising with

minimum overhead and maximum benefit to the people and organizations who need our

help the most.”

According to John Baudhuin, CEO of Mad Dogg Athletics, there are currently 165,000

licensed Spinning® instructors and over 1 million people attending a Spinning® class

every week. “We are proud to choose ‘Spinning® Nation’ as our first nationwide

fundraising effort, “ Badhuin said. “It is fantastic to be able to channel the enthusiasm

people have for Spinning® towards fighting some of the world’s most devastating

diseases.”

Fran Drescher, who is president of Cancer Schmancer, is delighted to be part of this

groundbreaking event as well. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Cancer Schmancer has been

included as part of the Spinning® Nation fundraising event. I will do everything in my

power to make the day a success and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping

us realize our goal to ensure that all women’s cancers get diagnosed in Stage One when

they’re most curable.”

Athletes for a Cure is a sports fundraising initiative of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Prostate Cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America, effecting 1 in 6 men.

The AIDS Research Alliance is a national leader in fast-track independent AIDS

research, seeking to develop a cure for AIDS and develop strategies to prevent new HIV

infections. Thirty-three million people are currently diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

~~~

Media Contact:

Kathy Jones

Halo Group

310-994-0066

For more information:

Spinning Nation www.spinningnation.org

Athletes for a Cure www.athletesforacure.org

The Aids Research Alliance www.aidsresearch.org

The Cancer Schmancer Movement www.cancerschmancer.org

Visit the Spinning® Nation Online Community

Active contributor and EveryMan Triathlete Roman Mica and the endurance-loving folks over at raceAthlete.com have created a challenge worthy of celebration. Well, chances are you were going to be celebrating on your birthday anyway...

But this takes the party one step (or several, depending on how old you are) beyond the traditional cake and ice cream. The idea behind the B-Fit B-Day Challenge is to swim, bike and run your new age. To do this, take your age and:

1) Swim the number of miles in the first number

2) Run the number of miles in the second number

3) Bike the number of miles in the combined number

So a 45-year-old athlete would:

1) Swim 4 miles

2) Run 5 miles

3) Bike 45 miles

"My goal in creating the Challenge was to come up with something that has all of the athletic appeal of a triathlon, but with a much more gentle and family-friendly atmosphere," says Mica. "We really hope this new Challenge will encourage athletes, their friends, and their family to celebrate their birthday in a unique and healthy way."

The B-Fit B-Day Challenge is completely free and open to anyone of any age. The website currently boasts over 120 members. Those who join can create profiles with photos and video, interact and encourage others, post completion times and take part in some great sponsor premiums offered on the site.

  !http://api.ning.com/files/0NBnDaBDrgoLZP8-B9ZktylYfmVRBZohGBFjbUrH*Tk_/cg_bday_tri.jpg|thumbnail=true!

(Thanks to B-Fit B-Day member Stronger for permission to use her awesome photo montage!)

The Challenge is divided into three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Bronze: Do all three (swim/bike/run) during the week of their birthday.

Silver: Do all three (swim/bike/run) in the 72 hours (three days) before, after or during their birthday.

Gold: Do all three (swim/bike/run) in 24 hours to celebrate their birthday!

Some important notes: Since "0" birthdays (like 10, 20, 30, 40, 50...) are important milestones, the "0" represents a 10. This means that on those "0" birthdays athletes must celebrate this big milestone by running ten miles. 

Also, note that transitions don't count in the overall time.

"It's not so much about how far or how fast you go or how many people you pass, but more of a celebration of your life, health and fitness on your birthday," Mica says. "In other words, where a race is highly competitive, stressful, punishing and very publicyou know...a racethe B-Fit B-Day Challenge is personal, intimate, rewarding and stress free."

The 2008 Amgen Tour of California is in the bag after a serious example of guts and glory during Stage 7 into Pasadena. Bissell Pro Cycling rider Tom Zirbel's solo breakaway in the wind and rain didn't survive the final six circuits around the Rose Bowl.

After the trailing sprinters caught him, Big George Hincapie hammered home to take the stage.

Levi Leipheimer's Astana team protected the yellow jersey to prefection, solidifying his second Tour of California overall title in as many years.

And proving that there's more to the squad than just being "That Clean Team," Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H3O took the overall team classification by a scant 16 seconds over Astana.

Stage 7 Results

1. George Hincapie - High Road 3:50:57

2. Rory Sutherland - Health Net Presented by Maxxis 3:50:57

3. Jason McCartney - Team CSC 3:50:57

4. Michael Creed - Rock Racing 3:50:57

5. Tom Zirbel - Bissell Pro Cycling 3:50:57

Overall Individual Classification

1. Levi Leipheimer - Astana 29:24:32

2. David Millar - Slipstream Chipotle 29:25:21

3. Christian Vande Velde - Slipstream Chipotle 29:25:40

4. Fabian Cancellara - Team CSC 29:25:50

5. Gustav Larsson - Team CSC 29:25:51

Overall Team Standings

1. Slipstream Chipotle Presented by H3O - 88:17:05

2. Astana - 88:17:21

3. Team CSC - 88:25: 49

Best Young Rider

1. Robert Gesink - Rabobank 29:26:50

2. Thomas Peterson - Slipstream Chipotle 29:27:30

3. Kevin Seeldraeyers - Quick Step 29:28:12

Overall Sprint Classification

1. Dominique Rollin - Toyota-United 44 points

2. Juan Jose Haedo - Team CSC 42 points

3. Gerald Ciolek - High Road 32 points

King of the Mountain

1. Scott Nydam - BMC Rcing 26 points

2. Jurgen Vandewalle - Quick Step 19 points

3. Robert Gesink - Rabobank 17 points

Most Aggressive Rider's Jersey (awarded by the press)

BMC Racing Team

In her article "[Ten Tips for the New Year|http://www.active.com/triathlon/Articles/Ten_tips_for_the_New_Year.htm]," Active Expert Gale Bernhardt's first recommendation is: Set a Goal.

What better way to give yourself something to work for in 2008 than to sign up for a race? But be aware, some pre-planning could save you a little money. Many races that already have registration open will be raising their prices beginning January 1.

For triathletes, that includes races such as the Accenture Chicago Triathlon, Vineman Ironman 70.3, Big Kahuna Triathlon (70.3-distance) and the Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, Iowa--which also happens to be the final Olympic qualifier for the 2008 U.S. triathlon team.

Other races will be opening registration right after the New Year. This includes the Superfrog Triathlon (70.3-distance), the 5430 Sports triathlon race series and the World Famous Mud Run, part of the Camp Pendleton (California) Hard Corps Race Series. On January 3, registration for  opens to USA Triathlon members, with non-member registration opening the next day.

Now is the perfect time to find out the registration details of your favorite race and add it to this list. Runners, cyclists, adventure racers, swimmers and anyone who wants others to be a part of an awesome event can add it to the comments section below.

What's going to be your motivation to train in 2008?

This weekend will be a big one for triathletes planning out their 2008 season as several big races open registration. Set your alarms on Saturday to snag a spot in St. Anthony's Triathlon, the Wildflower Triathlons Festival and the Escape From Alcatraz lottery. Then start the workweek off by registering for the Los Angeles Triathlon on Monday morning.

St. Anthony's Triathlon, April 25 through 27, kicks off many a triathlete's season in St. Petersburg, Florida. The race is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2008. It starts off on Friday with a fitness expo and the black-tie Medallion Gala. Saturday's Meek & Mighty Triathlon is actually two races: a 100-yard swim/3.6-mile bike/half-mile run tri for kids age 7 to 10, and a 200-yard swim/5.4-mile bike/1-mile run race for novice triathletes age 11 and over.

Sunday, April 27, is the Olympic-distance St. Anthony's Triathlon. Once named "Race of the Year" by USA Triathlon, St. Anthony's draws elite triathletes from all over the world competing for $60,000 in prizes ( Mike Reed, Greg Bennett, Craig Alexander and Chris McCormack rounded out the top four pro men in 2007; top-three women were Michelle Dillon, Sarah Haskins and Julie Dibens.) A great place to watch and learn.

There's also an elite amateur division for fleet-footed age groupers. Limited to 4,000 individuals and 100 relay teams, last year's event sold out in seven hours. Registration opens December 1 at 9 a.m. EST.

Read or share stories of past experiences at this message board post: #.

Also beginning registration on Saturday is the Wildflower Triathlons Festival. Featuring a 70.3-distance long course race, a sprint-distance mountain bike race and an Olympic-distance tri over three days in early May, Wildflower continues to be one of the most talked-about West coast races. Read Everyman Triathlete Roman Mica's race review (including need-to-know secrets) of the 2007 25th anniversary race here.

December 1 is also the day when lottery applications are available for the drawing to participate in the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. The notorious course starts with a plunge from a ferry into the waters off Alcatraz Island, then consists of a 1.5-mile swim, 1-mile run, 18-mile bike and 8-mile run, including the infamous 400-step Sand Ladder.

And on Monday, December 3, registration opens for the Los Angeles Triathlon. Featuring both Olympic and sprint-distance races, the event is part of the Life Time Fitness Series, which draws some of the best triathletes in the world.