2007 Tour to cover 667 miles

ATLANTA, Ga. - Organizers have revealed that the Tour de Georgia has grown in more ways than just number of days and prestige for its fifth edition this year. The 2007 Tour de Georgia will cover 667 miles in seven days, making it the longest (total distance) in the five-year history of the event, and one of the longest professional stage races in the U.S. this year.

On Monday, April 16, the Tour will begin in Peachtree City, Ga., located just south of metro Atlanta in Fayette County, and will move in a clock-wise direction around the state until it reaches downtown Atlanta for the final circuit race and grand finale stage on Sunday, April 22. All seven stages are new this year, including the Individual Time Trial to the top of Lookout Mountain, Ga. The details for the route were made official today by Medalist Sports, the sports management agency based in Tyrone, Ga. licensed to operate the Tour de Georgia.

"Considered as an essential lead-in event prior to the Grand Tours of Europe, the Tour de Georgia and its legendary route will challenge some of the most elite professional cycling teams in the world and, at the same time, entertain hundreds of thousands of spectators every day. This year's route is a perfect blend of all of the Tour's objectives - a highly competitive course showcasing the beautiful terrain and hospitable communities of Georgia and Tennessee, combined into seven days of thrilling action for our spectators. This has become a springtime tradition in the South that reaches a global sports audience," said Chris Aronhalt, managing partner of Medalist Sports and Executive Director for the Tour de Georgia.

Stage 1: Monday, April 16 - Peachtree City to Macon

Stage 2: Tuesday, April 17 - Thomaston to Rome

Stage 3: Wednesday, April 18 - Rome to Chattanooga, Tenn.

Stage 4: Thursday, April 19 - Chickamauga/Walker Co. to Lookout Mountain (Time Trial)

Stage 5: Friday, April 20 - Dalton to Brasstown Bald Mountain/Towns Co

Stage 6: Saturday, April 21 - Lake Lanier Islands/ Hall Co. to Stone Mountain Park/Dekalb Co.

Stage 7: Sunday, April 22 - Atlanta (circuit race)