Stage 5 provides highlights
Landis, locals add flavor to the finish
By JARED PUTNAM Union Sentinel Editor

2006 Tour de Georgia winner Floyd Landis came to Bald Mtn.

The Tour de Georgia returned to Union County Friday, once again transforming the area into an international stage for world class athletes. While Discovery Channel cyclist Levi Leipheimer conquered Brasstown Bald Mountain to win Stage 5, he was by no means the only "L" involved in the stage.

Floyd Landis, winner of the 2006 Tour de Georgia and 2006 Tour de France, provided commentary at the finish line on the mountain. While he could not participate in the race, Landis has followed the Tour route as he prepares to fight doping allegations that could lead to a multi-year ban from the sport.

Unbeknownst to many, Lance Armstrong also travelled with the Tour for part of the race this year, though his presence was kept very quiet.

Armstrong is often billed as a private person who maintains a low profile so he does not steal the limelight from up and coming young riders.

In addition to the many famous faces at the event, it also had a local flavor as well. Lori Andersen of United Community Bank (UCB) followed the Tour route again this year, presenting the UCB "King of the Mountain" Leader Jersey at each stage, including the finish line at Brasstown Bald.

American Anthony Colby gets a big thumbs up from a fan as he pumps his own fist while crossing the Stage 5 finish line atop Brasstown Bald Mountain. Colby took third place in the stage.

Andersen, Financial Advisor at the Blairsville headquarters, was instrumental in getting the bank involved in the Tour. She said she feels that this was the most successful Tour so far, and she hopes that people realize just how significant the event is.

"This is the NFL[of cycling]," Andersen said. "These guys are the most famous cyclists and the most fit athletes in the whole world, and they come through our little towns. We've really stepped up to the plate. We're getting in the big time, is the way I look at it. It is really a big deal."

As for the bank's role in the event, Andersen said that it all comes back to community. "Jimmy [UCB CEO Jimmy Talent] believes in community involvement," Andersen said. "That's why we want to be involved with this. To me it's a wholesome, healthy lifestyle and we want to align ourselves with that. The Tour goes through a lot of our markets over here, so it shows our commitment to the communities we do business in." One aspect of that is the money that the race produces for the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

Lori Andersen of United Community Bank poses with Ryder Hesjedal, winner of the UCB "King of the Mountain" Leader Jersey for Stage 5.

Understandably, a lot of work goes into the planning and production of such a massive event. "It's like planning 7 weddings in a row, back to back," Andersen said. "It is a lot of man hours and a lot of work for us just to do our part, and that's not even including Medalist [Sports] that puts it on."

Still, she said it all pays off in the end, for the community, as well as for the bank itself. "We had our big balloon downtown [Atlanta] for the finish, and every shot of every cyclist has our balloon in it," Andersen said.

UCB also sponsors a local cycling team out of Habersham County. Andersen said that sponsorship will continue regardless of the future of the tour.

"We have taken it from a professional level down to the community where we are sponsoring young kids that are up and coming cyclists and that will plan to go to college and ride for the University of Georgia, or whoever." The team followed Andersen along the Tour route this year. "They helped me and they were so integral in implementing the marketing this year," she said.

In spite of the many positives surrounding the Tour, the event was without a title sponsor this year, causing it to fall short of the funds it needed by approximately $200,000. Although race organizers are hopeful of its future, there has been some doubt as to whether or not it will be able to go on next year.

Andersen said that UCB remains committed to the Tour next year, and that she is willing to do everything she can to make sure the race stays alive in 2008.

"I'm willing to go to bat for it," Andersen said. "We have a two year commitment to the Tour and as long as it is on [next year], we're in it. We will continue to be at the founding partner level and we will continue to sponsor the King of the Mountain Jersey."