Independently funded, filmed and produced with as much grit, passion and determination as its subjects, Gripped Films presents a special screening of "Chasing Legends," a feature-length documentary following the HTC-Columbia Team through the 2009 Tour De France at The Clark Center for the Performing Arts on May 20 at 8 p.m.

Cycling fans are desperate for heroes they can believe in, and Gripped Films gives them Team HTC-Columbia like they have never seen, through an intense and personal glimpse inside the most winning professional cycling team as told by the riders themselves, both current and past heroes.

Included in the film will be commentary from Eddy Merckx, Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, Jens Voigt, Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and many others.

"Chasing Legends" highlights the greatest heroes in professional cycling with a dramatic show of teamwork and panache from Team HTC-Columbia through the 2009 Tour de France.

The film takes viewers on an absolutely epic ride into the race action. Using a multitude of high-tech, high-definition cameras mounted on bikes, motorcycles, helicopters and team cars, the film will also include historical race footage, artistic travelogue of the European countryside and villages with narration from the voice of cycling for the USA, Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen. 

"Chasing Legends" will premiere on May 15 at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, Calif., at the start of the 2010 Tour of California and have a screening tour in select cities around the world.

The film will be released on DVD and BluRay - the first high-def, American-made production of the Tour de France. The director of the film, Jason Berry, will also be on site on May 20 to speak about the film and participate in a Q&A session.

Prior to the screening, local bike groups, shops and business will be on site for a small exhibition to promote their goods and services.

Tickets for the screening of "Chasing Legends" are $20 and are on sale now.  Call (805) 489-9444 for tickets or visit the Clark Center Box Office at 487 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande. 

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the Clark Center website at www.clarkcenter.org. 

For more information on "Chasing Legends", visit www.chasinglegends.com.