Is the US going to clobber Euro cyclesport in on fell swoop?
Is this for real?? (see link below)
A proposed US national tour from NY to CA. Huge field of 25 teams battling over an absolutely extreme course 7500k long (TdF is about 3500k) for, get this, $11 million dollars in prize money. Full details to be announced at the Las Vegas Interbike show tomorrow.
Seems awfully ambitious especially in a country like the US where cycling isn't even 4th tier in popularity. Especially for a sport at an absolute nadir in credibility (no thanks to at least a couple prominent US Cycling champions) struggling to find committed sponsorship.
In light of the doping scandals the course length strikes me as a cruel joke. How exactly are clean cyclist supposed to survive such grueling punishment? One stage is over 400k long! Let's also examine the schedule, September 6th thru October 5th? Isn't there a major Spanish Tour going on at that time? $11 million dollars and massive International media exposure is going to be tough to ignore. Bye Bye Vuelta. And is the Tour de France now demoted to "junior" status in the sport? They can't afford no $11 million euros. I think most people are a somewhat appalled when they find out how little the winner of the "hardest sporting event in the world" actually makes when he crosses the finish line in Paris. Not exactly Beckham money. A middling golfer can make more.
So is this a bunch of BS? Seems like an April fools joke to me. BUT If it does go off I WILL be at the prologue in Central Park front and center. I have no shame.
http://thetourofamerica.com/
A proposed US national tour from NY to CA. Huge field of 25 teams battling over an absolutely extreme course 7500k long (TdF is about 3500k) for, get this, $11 million dollars in prize money. Full details to be announced at the Las Vegas Interbike show tomorrow.
Seems awfully ambitious especially in a country like the US where cycling isn't even 4th tier in popularity. Especially for a sport at an absolute nadir in credibility (no thanks to at least a couple prominent US Cycling champions) struggling to find committed sponsorship.
In light of the doping scandals the course length strikes me as a cruel joke. How exactly are clean cyclist supposed to survive such grueling punishment? One stage is over 400k long! Let's also examine the schedule, September 6th thru October 5th? Isn't there a major Spanish Tour going on at that time? $11 million dollars and massive International media exposure is going to be tough to ignore. Bye Bye Vuelta. And is the Tour de France now demoted to "junior" status in the sport? They can't afford no $11 million euros. I think most people are a somewhat appalled when they find out how little the winner of the "hardest sporting event in the world" actually makes when he crosses the finish line in Paris. Not exactly Beckham money. A middling golfer can make more.
So is this a bunch of BS? Seems like an April fools joke to me. BUT If it does go off I WILL be at the prologue in Central Park front and center. I have no shame.
http://thetourofamerica.com/
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Comments
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Sintesi wrote:Is this for real??
I very much doubt it - I keep checking my calendar to make sure it's not 1st April! 130km mountain time trial anyone?.....................anyone?.....................no?
Already being discussed in the "Race" section:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=125455350 -
Maybe its only for world class (US) dopers......0
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:? :? Does this mean LA and other USA dopers will now form their own association, in opposition to the UCI?
Just so they can race in a lucrative race on home soil.
The best thing European fans can do is ignore the USA and their riders! :roll: :roll:I say what I like and I like what I say!0 -
In a land where marketing and advertising are everything, you can just imagine the finishes? A major sponsor will have the race finish every stage at a location designated by them.
So if Say McD's are a sponsor the finish line will be at a drive through, and the riders will have to order a "Tour of America" big mac with fires and coke, and will only be allowed over the finishing line if they supersize it. :-D
I can't see it happening, words like "P!$$ up" and "brewery" spring to mind.0 -
Remember, people thought Henri Desgranges was crazy when he started something called the Tour de France in 1903. Look what happened then.
But at the time, it succeeded as it filled in so many roles. Cycling as a sport was in its infancy and a few hardy riders paid entry fees so they could win recognition and prizes. It linked parts of France that were remote, in an age before most even had a radio at home.
A krazy Tour of America seems a step too far. US organizers need to get a few decent races going. Everytime a decent race gets going, it stops. See past races like the Tour de Trump etc. The Tour of California is looking good but sadly pro cycling - many riders and officials - is still in denial about doping and this is scaring a lot of dinero.0 -
Sintesi wrote:Is this for real?? (see link below)
A proposed US national tour from NY to CA. Huge field of 25 teams battling over an absolutely extreme course 7500k long (TdF is about 3500k) for, get this, $11 million dollars in prize money. Full details to be announced at the Las Vegas Interbike show tomorrow.
http://thetourofamerica.com/
Where are you getting those incorrect numbers from? While I doubt this race will ever exist (but I'd love to see it if it does), the website claims:
$10 million in total prizes: http://thetourofamerica.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=35
2627 miles / 4202 kilometers total: http://thetourofamerica.com/index.php?o ... &Itemid=330 -
s the US going to clobber Euro cyclesport in on fell swoop?
Er... no. Not unless GWB nukes Europe.0
