Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

PITTSBURGH –June 29, 2008 -- U-23 national criterium champion Daniel Holloway (VMG/Felt) scored an impressive rain-drenched victory in today’s final stage of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®.  Twenty-one-year-old Holloway (USA) showed the same grit and sprinting speed today that he had used to win the Tour’s first criterium in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 24.  The event’s second place spot went to Canadian Keven Lacombe (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast), with American Erik Barlevav (TIME Pro Cycling) taking third place honors.

Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

PITTSBURGH – June 28, 2008 -- The American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5® neared its end as the international U25 field entered onto the Pittsburgh streets in the race’s penultimate stage five.

Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

LATROBE, Pa. (June 27, 2008) With just 60 miles in front of them at the start of Stage 4 this morning in Bedford, the 91 riders at the start line steeled themselves for what they expected would be the most demanding leg of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®.  They weren’t disappointed.  

Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

BEDFORD, Pa. (June 26, 2008) -- The longest stage of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5® was made even more epic when strong winds and rain threatened the international field at the starting line in Camp Hill. While the sun broke through the clouds, neither the remaining gusting winds nor the many kilometers ahead could hold back cycling’s U-25 world-class up-and-comers from their visions of a Stage 3 victory.

CARLISLE, Pa. (June 25, 2008) The Canadian all-rounder Keven Lacombe (Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast/USA) jumped ahead of a late-race, 18-rider breakaway to triumph in Stage 2 of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®. Lacombe took his first tour victory ahead of the South African speedster Christoff Van Heerden (Konica Minolta) and America’s own Ryan Baumann (Sakonnet Technology).

Photo by: Scott Schaffrick

Philadelphia – June 24, 2008 – Philadelphia’s downtown cycling fans were offered a second round of excitement when the current US national criterium champion, Daniel Holloway (VMG-Felt) lit up the final 200-meters in Stage 1B of the American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®. Holloway captured a convincing field sprint victory in this elite U25 competition ahead of Jacob Keough (Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast/USA) and Christoff Van Heerden of South Africa (Konica Minolta Continental) in the 25-lap criterium of day one.

Scott Schaffrick

PHILADELPHIA – June 24, 2008 -- Steven Van Vooren (Johan Brunyeel Cycling Academy) conquered the inaugural American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5® opening time trial held in Philadelphia with a searing time of 4:18 ahead of Keven LaCombe (Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast) and Christoff Van Heerden (KON-Konica Minolta Continental).

American Eagle Oufitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5® gets ready to kick off its inaugural tour from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on June 24.  Eighteen teams of U25 riders (ages 18-24) will tackle the 420-mile, six-day stage race for the world’s richest U25 purse of $150,000.  Today, many of these elite, international athletes assembled at the National Constitution Center for their official send-off from Tour of PA organizers, sponsors and city and state officials.

PHILADELPHIA – June 23, 2008 – It’s among the most basic tenets of the athletic arena: You can’t beat the competition if you don’t know who they are. Yet come the opening day of the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania Presented By Highmark Healthy High 5^®, no one will know exactly who are the riders to watch among this talented field of 108.

PA Lightning Team sponsored by Seagate hosted a kick off party and fund raiser.   Members Taylor Brown, Mike Chauner, Eric Chrabot, Chris Ruhl, Jeff Salvitti and Ben Showman, director, Michael Hernandez and  the Tour of PA Podium girls were introduced to the fans by voice of cycling announcers, Michael Aisner and Todd Gulgoski

Here’s your chance to support Pennsylvania’s home team. Join PA Lightning for a night of fun and fund raising before they get serious at the Tour of Pennsylvania, a grueling, 420 mile race across the state!

The concept of the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Kelly Benefit Strategies-Medifast cycling team is simple – build a roster that blends mature talent with top up-and-coming prospects, assuring success now and into the future.

A look at results from the recently completed Nature Valley Grand Prix affirms this big picture strategy. At the close of the stage 5 Mankato Road Race, established star Andrew Bajadali crossed the line in third followed closely by teammate David Veilleux. It was just the latest example of how this team has managed to find a balance between immediate results and young rider development.

KICK-OFF PRESS CONFERENCE (Primary Opportunity)

WHEN: Monday, June 23 at 11 a.m.

 

WHAT:              Officials from Philadelphia and Pittsburgh will join race organizers, competing cyclists, major sponsors American Eagle Outfitters® and Independence Blue Cross, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of the Philadelphia Region, and the voice of cycling, Michael Aisner, to kick off the inaugural American Eagle Outfitters® Tour of Pennsylvania presented by Highmark Healthy High 5®.

 

                        The Tour of Pennsylvania is a first-of-its-kind, 420-mile, six-day stage race from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh for the world’s elite young riders (ages 18-24).  These cyclists are the future generation of the sport and the next stars of the Olympics and Tour de France.  The Tour of Pennsylvania is also the world’s richest race for U25 riders with a  total purse of $150,000.  The race begins Tuesday, June 24 and runs through Sunday, June 29. 

 WHERE:           Grand Hall Overlook, National Constitution Center

 Team Dinner & Reception to Benefit Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House

 WHEN: Monday, June 23 at 6:15 p.m.

 WHAT:              All of the competing teams in the Tour of Pennsylvania will attend this team dinner, the first of many fundraisers that will benefit local Ronald McDonald Houses at each race stage stop.  In addition, proceeds from the sale of Tour branded apparel, designed by American Eagle Outfitters®, will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities®.

 WHERE:           The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, 100 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia 19134

 Tour of Pennsylvania Stage 1 – Philadelphia Time Trial and Criterium

 WHEN:             Tuesday, June 24

                        9:30 a.m. opening ceremonies for Time Trial; first rider goes off at 10 a.m.; awards ceremony follows at noon

                         6 p.m. opening ceremonies for 30-mile Criterium race; official race start is 6:30 p.m.; awards ceremony and presentation of jerseys at approximately 8 p.m.

 WHERE:       Both events go off from North Concourse Drive at Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park

 For more information on all of these events, contact Christine Reimert at 610-639-2136 or creimert@comcast.net.

PHILADELPHIA – June 19, 2008 – Frankie Andreu can only chuckle when asked about his own transition out of cycling’s junior racing ranks and up to the senior level. The one-time Lance Armstrong lieutenant who started the Tour de France nine times says that back in his day the law of the jungle ruled.

Directions, from the Holiday Inn Crown Plaza at City Line.  

Take Presidential Boulevard to (right turn) City Line Avenue Rt. 1 North.

Rt. 1 North becomes Roosevelt Boulevard.  Stay on Rt. 1 N to exit for Rt. 611 South Broad Street.

Travel south on Rt. 611 Broad Street.  This is a local, wide road with may traffic lights.

Turn left onto W. Erie Avenue (traveling eastward).   More traffic lights.

At the intersection of Erie Avenue and Front Street, you'll see the Ronald McDonald House on your right.  You'll notice it's new construction and big iron fence.   Immediately beyond the house, you'll see a large tent, which is the location of the dinner.

The trip should take 30-45 minutes, or longer.  We recommend you leave the hotel by 4:30pm at the latest.  

PHILADELPHIA – June 16, 2008 – Wicked wind, steamy temperatures and plenty of challenging terrain are just some of the factors sure to make the inaugural running of the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania Presented By Highmark Healthy High 5^® a race to remember.

The American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania is a six day, 420 mile international stage race from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh featuring 120 of the world's best young bicycle racers. Twenty teams of racers under age 25 from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Republic of South Africa, and from around the United States have been selected to compete in this historic race across the state starting June 24 and ending June 29, 2008.

PITTSBURGH, June 6, 2008 – South Africa’s Konica Minolta Continental Cycling Team will compete in a six-day stage race in the United States, offering a prize of $150,000, the world’s largest-ever purse for cyclists under age 25.

Michael Hernandez of Santa Cruz, CA has been named director sportif for the six man PA Lightning squad at the American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania June 24 to 29.  Hernandez, 38, is a veteran cyclist, announcer, writer and team director with over two decades of experience in the sport. He most recently directed the Vanderkitten women’s elite cycling team at the Commerce Bank Triple Crown.

PITTSBURGH – (May 30, 2008) – American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) today announced the kickoff of its campaign to support the Tour of Pennsylvania as title sponsor and exclusive apparel retail partner.  The American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania, presented by Highmark Healthy High 5^®, is a USA Cycling sanctioned international race for professional riders under the age of 25.  The 420 mile, six-stage race will mark the very first Tour de France-style race for young riders in the United States.  As the title sponsor and exclusive apparel retail partner, American Eagle will build awareness and encourage participation among its customers through a regional in-store marketing campaign in over 90 stores and online at ae.com that includes direct mail and targeted e-mails designed to reach thousands of teens and twenties.