Tour d'Egypte

pomtarr
pomtarr Posts: 318
edited February 2011 in Pro race
Curious one this...

Due to run 8th-13th Feb, Not usually a hotly anticipated race I know, but you wonder what happens now - does it go ahead or not? You'd imagine the latter, but I can't find any announcements stating it's been cancelled. Meanwhile the political crisis has been going on for about 10 days and there are 3 days to go till the race is meant to start.

Links (none of which shed any light...
http://www.cyclingarchives.com/wedstrijdfiche.php?wedstrijdid=1999
http://paris.thover.com/UCIcyclingcalendar/race/38/tour-d-egypte.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_d%27Egypte
Nothing on the UCI site either :roll: or Cyclingnews
"Difficult, difficult, lemon difficult"

Comments

  • Tusher
    Tusher Posts: 2,762
    Wow. It's been going a long time, and I'd never even heard of it.

    I feel sorry for the organisers- all that hard work then suddenly, totally outwith their control, it all goes up the swannee. Or the Nile.

    And the riders- what if the Tour d'Egypt was the highlight of their professional year?

    But you would think, and hope, that they'll at least post-pone it.
  • OffTheBackAdam
    OffTheBackAdam Posts: 1,869
    Won't be able to postpone for too long, the temperatures will start climbing soon.
    Remember that you are an Englishman and thus have won first prize in the lottery of life.
  • pomtarr
    pomtarr Posts: 318
    I've actually just emailed the UCI to ask if the race is going ahead and whether or not there will be an announcement from them.

    [starts holding breath in anticipation of a swift and efficient response from aforementioned governing body]

    Can anyone think of any parallels with other races due to be held in hotspots/warzones/disputed territories? What happened?
    "Difficult, difficult, lemon difficult"
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    There was racing in occupied France during WWII - the Germans asked the tour organisers to carry on as normal nut they refused. Other race organisers weren't so squeamish - well that or they were forced into it.
  • pomtarr
    pomtarr Posts: 318
    An immediate reply from the UCI (I retract my previous sarcastic comment about their efficiency!).
    Dear Tom,

    Tour d’Egypte and Grand Prix of Sharm el-Sheikh have been postponed. We do not know yet the new date but it could be in May.

    We remain at your entire disposal for further information.

    Best regards,
    "Difficult, difficult, lemon difficult"
  • takethehighroad
    takethehighroad Posts: 6,661
    Ask them another question about doping, but make it connected to your original one eg. "Will [insert Rider X's name] be riding or will they be banned by then?"

    If they're entirely at your disposal...
  • Tusher
    Tusher Posts: 2,762
    pomtarr wrote:
    An immediate reply from the UCI (I retract my previous sarcastic comment about their efficiency!).
    Dear Tom,

    Tour d’Egypte and Grand Prix of Sharm el-Sheikh have been postponed. We do not know yet the new date but it could be in May.

    We remain at your entire disposal for further information.

    Best regards,


    +2

    Deeply Impressed- on first name terms with the UCI. Maybe we could smuggle you in and you could interrogate Pat. I've got some spare cable ties.

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