LAS VEGAS - The Big Hairy Audacious Goal that is the Tour of America (site not part of the company's official press release) was met with resounding skepticism by the press core that covered last Thursday afternoon's press conference. As reported by other cycling new outlets, the press conference seemed extremely premature given the amount of work that needs to put in for a 2008 start; the least of which is UCI sanctioning.But rather than belabour several well made points, let's try to "be a little more constructive with our criticism." Below are the media sheets outlining Aqu Inc plan for the "greatest international cycling event in the world." From L to R: The Facts, The Event, and The Prizes (CLICK on each to enlarge).
The Facts:
Perhaps the two most glaring issues were the budget and number of stages. The estimated budget of $30 million has yet to be secured, and due to the timing of the press conference, none of the potential sponsors' names could be divulged. An opt out date of March 31st has been set if the organizers can not secure the funds or finalize the logistics.
The current proposal includes 27 stages over 30 days. Considering the lengths [doping] to which some riders will go to complete a three week race, a four week race seems physiologically impossible. But according to the organizing committee, most sponsors want a grandiose event.
The Event:
The race is currently set up east to west; meaning a race into a headwind. The tentative stage list does not currently include the state of Colorado. Therefore, the mountain stages would be in Tennessee, New Mexico, and Nevada.
The lengths of some of the longest stages are around 250 miles.
The dates will be in conflict with the Tour of Missouri (that just had its inaugural running) and the World Championships.
The Prizes:
Eleven million dollars in prizes are proposed. The overall amount, however, is closely tied to making the event as grandiose as possible including keeping the current number of stages.
Overall:
The press conference seemed to be more of a fact finding mission, and should have been stated as such. The organizers freely admit that there is much work to be done, and they welcome any feedback from the cycling community.
The amount of skepticism is duly warranted as an event with this moniker should be done first rate, otherwise it risk doing more damage to the exisiting culture of the sport. It may be time to have a Tour of America, but if the intent is to save the sport of cycling from itself, as the organizers believe, then its already off on the wrong foot.
MORE:
-- Charles Pelkey: Velonews - A US Grand Tour? North Carolina Company Say "Yes"
-- Mark Zalewski: Cyclingnews - Tour of America Faces Harsh Criticism, In Theory
Thoughts Aside
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