Chris Horner to ride Oregon Echelon Gran Fondo

For Immediate Release:

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST CHRIS HORNER TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR ECHELON GRAN FONDO PORTLAND/COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE

Bend, OR resident, and Team RadioShack® Rider will return to his home state to promote and participate in the state’s inaugural Echelon event

(San Francisco, CA – March 2nd, 2010) – PlanetZ/Echelon is proud to announce a partnership with professional cyclist Chris Horner for the inaugural September 26^th, 2010 Echelon Gran Fondo in the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Horner, a resident of Bend, Oregon, will serve as an event ambassador, and aid in creating greater awareness of the organization’s commitment to creating community focused cycling events, which raise money for local and national cancer institutions. The majority of entry fees and additional donations contributed by participating individuals and teams will support the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute and LIVESTRONG®.

Horner, a dominant figure for over 15 years in international pro-cycling, and member of the newly formed Team RadioShack® with American teammates Lance Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer and Jason McCartney, is excited to partner with Echelon and the community of Portland. “When I was approached by Echelon and learned about their event goals, a unique opportunity was created for me to support the beneficiary organizations and participate on my home turf,” commented Horner.

The primary local beneficiary of the Echelon event is the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, considered as one of the nation’s top cancer centers. With the latest treatments, technologies, hundreds of research studies and approximately 400 clinical trials, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute is the only cancer center between Sacramento and Seattle designated by the National Cancer Institute — an honor earned only by the nation's top cancer centers. LIVESTRONG®, the event’s national beneficiary and source of inspiration and assistance for millions is the globally recognized Lance Armstrong Foundation, which connects individuals to the support they need, leverages funding and resources to spur innovation and engages communities and leaders to drive social change. Additionally, a portion of funds will support the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway (FHCRH), an Oregon nonprofit corporation whose mission is to support the restoration of the historic highway through the Columbia River.

“Having Chris as part of this event is quite a thrill. His spirited personality and his commitment to generating awareness for our event are exciting. We look forward to our Portland participants having the opportunity to meet and ride with Chris,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of Echelon.

Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA and Portland, OR, has created 30, 60, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event.

About PlanetZ/Echelon: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money for local and national cancer focused institutions.

For more information, please visit www.echelongranfondo.org.

Media Contact:

Rebecca Kotch

323.806.5900

Rebecca@Rebeccakotch.com

Lucas Euser, Ambassador Echelon Napa Gran Fondo

PROFESSIONAL CYCLIST LUCAS EUSER TO SERVE AS AMBASSADOR FOR ECHELON GRAN FONDO NAPA

Napa, CA Native Recently Signed with Professional Team; Will Work to Foster Growth of Sport with Involvement in New Event

(San Francisco, CA – January 20^th, 2010) – Professional cyclist and Napa, CA native Lucas Euser has signed on to play a lead role in development of Echelon Gran Fondo Napa, scheduled for May 23^rd, 2010. The event is the first in the Echelon Gran Fondo cycling series by PlanetZ, a non-profit organization that benefits cancer research and supports cancer survivors at local and national institutions.

Euser, who grew up in Napa and honed his cycling prowess on the area’s roads, recently signed with Canadian UCI continental team SpiderTech presented by Planet Energy. His intimate familiarity with the Napa community and desire to support cancer research and survivors made him a natural to play a lead role in the development of the Echelon Gran Fondo Napa.

“Like many people, cancer has impacted my life,”said Euser. “My grandfather died of cancer and my stepfather is currently in remission. This is a great opportunity to support LIVESTRONG™, our local treatment centers and those currently battling the disease.”

Queen of the Valley Medical Center, St. Helena Martin-O'Neil Cancer Center and the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute are all beneficiaries of the 2010 Echelon Gran Fondo events.

Lucas returned to Napa in 2009 after being hit by a car while on a training ride near Girona, Spain, his European home during his tenure with Garmin Slipstream. Since the accident he has developed an interest in cycling advocacy, with Echelon Gran Fondo Napa providing a platform to help make the Napa Valley a safer venue for cyclists and motorists alike. “Roads to cyclists are not just for transportation,” added Euser. “Cyclists develop relationships with the terrain and the surrounding community. I’ve trained and raced on cycling’s hallowed grounds – the Alps, the Dolomites, the Pyrenees – but Napa Valley will always remain dear to me, and I want to do my part to help others enjoy it.”

PlanteZ/Echelon, whose 2010 events are planned in Napa, CA and Portland, OR, has created 30, 60, and 100-mile rides to emulate the pageantry of the Tour de France. All abilities of riders are welcome, and all participants will encounter a uniquely crafted and festive event. “Our intention first and foremost is to make our events a destination fundraising event that individuals and teams can participate in, and challenge each other pre ride and during. What we’ve layered on top of the experience is guaranteed to surprise and delight our audience,” said Hunter Ziesing, founder of PlanetZ/Echelon.

About PlanetZ: PlanetZ is a non-profit global member organization that promotes human affairs including health, environment, and community, and is greatly committed to the cycling community at large by creating events and fitness challenges that are designed to raise money to local and national cancer focused institutions.

For more information on Lucas, please visit Lucas Euser at www.lucaseuser.com, twitter.com/lucaseuser.