Tour to return in 2007
UCB signs on to remain a sponsor

Sentinel photo/Jared Putnam Tom Danielson finishes ahead of Floyd Landis in Stage 5 of the 2006 Tour.

United Community Banks, Inc. (NASDQ: UCBI) has signed on as a two-year major sponsor of America's premier cycling event,the Tour de Georgia. The bank's Founding Partner sponsorship includes ownership of the "King of the Mountain" presentation jersey and rights to consumer promotions across the Southeast.

The 2007 Tour de Georgia will be held the third week in April and will again travel through Union County, the home of $6.5 billion-asset United Community Banks, and numerous other counties where the bank has a presence. Event organizer Medalist Sports, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), will announce the Host Cities, route and dates in early November.

Tour de Georgia benefits the Georgia Cancer Coalition, a not-for-profit dedicated to reducing cancer deaths by accelerating prevention, early detection, treatment and research. Since 2003, Tour de Georgia has raised more than $125,000 and boosted public awareness for the Coalition.

"Our customers and communities strongly support Tour de Georgia and the mission of the Georgia Cancer Coalition," said Jimmy Talent, president and chief executive officer of

United Community Banks. "We'll be there to welcome and cheer on the cyclists when they ride through our communities across the state."

Professional cyclists will compete for the United Community Banks King of the Mountain (KOM) jersey by collection points at designated KOM locations, including the summit of Brasstown Bald Mountain.

The rider with the most accumulated KOM points is awarded this jersey. United Community Banks will give spectators oversized cardboard "hands" for their use in encouraging cyclists along the challenging mountain roads.

In addition, United Community Banks will soon unveil a custom Tour de Georgia check series and debt card for fans of the Tour.

"We've had wonderful support from all the communities the Tour had touched, and it's thanks to them and sponsors like United Community Bank that the Tour de Georgia has grown each year and was able to add an extra day to the schedule in 2007," said Craig Lesser, commissioner of GDEcD. "The bank's sponsorship and the Tour have a great synergy that will create a new dimension to the event's economic impact in the state."

GDEcD has been a Presenting Partner since the inaugural Tour de Georgia in 2003. The agency communicates the state's economic and tourism assets to Tour attendees, and works closely with Tour staff to align with business partners for sponsorship and hospitality.

"United Community Banks is an ideal example of a Georgia community leader that embraces the Tour de Georgia and becomes a true corporate partner," said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of Tyrone, Ga.-based Medalist Sports. "We will announce 2007 event details soon and begin activation right away with great partners like United Community Banks and the Georgia Department of Economic Development."

Last year's Tour de Georgia began in Augusta with 120 athletes on 15 teams representing 22 countries. These world-class cyclists raced over 600 miles throughout the north Georgia mountains and finished in Alpharetta. The event attracted more than 500,000 spectators and had a $26.2 million direct economic impact on Georgia.