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Press Release

Independence Blue Cross Supports Tour of PA, First Professional Cross-State Bike Race

World's best young riders to compete in 420 mile, six-day race from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh

Philadelphia, PA - June 24, 2008 - To highlight its commitment to health and fitness, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is sponsoring the Tour of PA, a new six-day, 420 mile stage race from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh featuring 120 of the world's best young professional bike racers. Stage one of the Tour begins in Philadelphia today with a 2.5 mile time trial and a 30-mile circuit race that will start and finish at Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park. Grandstands will be set up at Memorial Hall for public race viewing.

The Tour also includes a Finish Line Festival from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Memorial Hall, an event designed to help the community learn ways to adopt active living and healthy eating habits. Admission to the festival is free and will feature a variety of vendors and health-related activities for people of all ages, including a performance by a stunt cyclist, super-charged jump rope demonstration, and several interactive Wii video games. Participants can also enter a free drawing to win a new bicycle.

Neighborhood Bike Works will be on hand to instruct people about the proper fit for a bike helmet and will give away free helmets on a first-come first-serve basis. IBC will provide information about the company's safety program, which includes a $25 reimbursement for the purchase of a new bike helmet, per eligible member per year.

"We're pleased to add the Tour of PA this year to our growing list of activities and events that focus on community health and fitness, such as the Blue Cross Broad Street Run and National Walk @ Lunch Day," says Joseph A. Frick, president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross. "We hope that our members and the community will be inspired by these amazing athletes to think about ways they can improve their own health by becoming active and enjoying the benefits of a fun hobby such as cycling."

"We thank Independence Blue Cross for their support of the Tour of PA," said Dave Chauner, executive director of the race. "We're very excited about the growing interest in professional cycling in our community. This event will be a great opportunity for people to come out and have a good time, and see some talented cyclists who are on their way to becoming cycling's next Olympians and Tour de France competitors."

Race Details
The Tour's route will roughly follow the historic Forbes Road along Route 30 to Pittsburgh through Downingtown, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Bedford, Latrobe, and Ligonier. The race will end with a circuit race through downtown Pittsburgh on June 29.

About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in Southeastern Pennsylvania. IBC and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

About the Tour of PA
The Tour of PA is managed by Tour of PA, LLC of Audubon, PA, a partnership between Pro Cycling Tour, LLC and ISM-USA. It is the signature sporting event for Pittsburgh 250, a commission established to celebrate Pittsburgh's 250th anniversary in 2008, and is the world's richest cycling race for elite international cyclists under age 25. The Tour is sanctioned by the International Cycling Union and offers a cash prize list of $150,000.