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. From April 16 to 22, the Tour de Georgia will visit 12 Host Venues, which will provide the start and finish locations for the seven stages.

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. Medalist is responsible for all route planning and approvals.

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

Distance 97 miles (156 km) Start 12:00 Noon. Expected finish 3:30pm-4:00 p.m.

Stage 2: Tuesday, April 17 - Thomaston to Rome

Distance 135 miles (217 km) Start 11:00 a.m. Expected finish 4:00-5:00 p.m.

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

Distance 118 miles (190 km) Start 12:00 Noon. Expected finish 4:15 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

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

Distance 18.9 miles (30.4 km) Start 11:00 a.m. Expected finish 11:40 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Individual cyclists depart in 1 minute intervals; final 10 riders depart in 2 minute intervals

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

Distance 107 miles (172 km) Start 11:00 a.m. Expected finish 2:50- 3:30 p.m.

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

Distance 113.5 miles (183 km) Start 11:00 a.m. Expected finish 3:00-3:45 p.m.

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

Distance 77 miles (123.9 km) Start 1:00 p.m. Expected finish 4:00-4:30 p.m.

* all times subject to change

The Tour de Georgia is North America's premier, professional cycling event and rolling festival of community activities. The Tour was first held in 2003 and has become a spring tradition with a varying route of over 600 miles of racing. Over 2.3 million spectators have traveled to Georgia to watch the event in the past four years, and direct economic impact has totaled over $121 million.  The event is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (2.HC ranking), and USA Cycling, Inc. (USA Cycling Pro Tour Calendar), making the event one of the top stage races for elite athletes around the world.  Two of the past four winners have also won the Tour de France, including 2004 champion Lance Armstrong. The Tour's official beneficiary is the Georgia Cancer Coalition. The Tour de Georgia is owned by the Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) and is managed by Medalist Sports (www.medalistsports.com).