Two new UCI-level bicycle races are on tap in the US for 2008, joining three regulars -- Tour of California, Tour de Georgia and Tour of Missouri.
The new bicycle races are planned for Colorado and Pennsylvania, both deserving locales considering their history in domestic cycling.
The Colorado Stage International Cycle Classic is a three-stage bicycle race that incorporates the Vail Pass Time Trial course from the old Coors Classic. The other two stages comprise a road race from Breckenridge to Beaver Creek and a circuit race between East Vail and West Vail.
Needs title sponsor
Organized by the Vail Valley Foundation, which is working with Medalist Sports, the bike race is scheduled for Aug. 22-24, 2008, a Friday through Sunday. Book your vacations now.
CyclingNews reported that the Colorado Stage race has yet to find a sponsor, which brings back memories of this year's UCI-level Tour of Utah and Boston-Montreal. They never got off the ground, although the Tour of Utah may come back this year for USA Cycling's National Racing Calendar.
Regarding a title sponsor for the Colorado race, Vail organizers are confident they'll find because of their success with ski cup races.
Pennsylvania
Another new UCI-level race this year is the Tour of Pennsylvania, which seems like a sure thing because it does have a title sponsor -- American Eagle Outfitters. The race won't draw veteran cyclists, however, as it's for the under-25 class.
But the $250,000 purse -- the largest in the world at this class -- should draw an international cast of cycling's up-and-comers.
The six-day, 450-mile race rolls from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh from June 24 to June 29. The finish in P-burgh will help celebrate the city's 250th anniversary next year. Other host cities include Downingtown, Carlisle, Camp Hill, Bedford, Ligonier, and Latrobe. See the Tour of Pennsylvania map (pdf).
More tours
Of course, pro cycling gets a jump start in the US with the Amgen Tour of California from Feb. 17 to 24, 2008. Host cities are already named.
The Tour de Georgia follows on April 21 to 27, 2008. Host cities are supposed to be announced this week.
The Tour of Missouri, which celebrated its inaugural race in September with a win by George Hincapie of the retiring Discovery Channel team, is expected back in 2008 as well.
CyclingNews also reports that the Crystal City Classic and CSC Classic in the Virginia 'burbs of Washington DC will be raced as UCI races this year, although I couldn't find any dates.
Bicycle racing
Amgen Tour of California -- Feb. 17-24, 2008
Tour de Georgia -- April 21-27, 2008
Tour of Pennsylvania -- June 24-29, 2008
Colorado Stage classic -- Aug. 22-24, 2008
Tour of Missouri -- September 8-14, 2008
More races on provisional 2008 UCI calendar:
US Cycling Open -- April 13
Crystal City Classic (Crystal City, Virginia) -- May 3
Mt. Hood Cycling Classic -- May 13-18
Tour de Leelanau -- May 24
Commerce Bank Lancaster Classic -- June 3
Commerce Bank Reading Classic -- June 5
Commerce Bank International Championship -- June 8
Saturn Rochester Twilight Omnium -- June 20-22
Univest Grand Prix -- Sept. 6
Check USA Cycling 2008 National Race Calendar for more bicycle racing.
See also VeloNews "UCI makes adjustments to North American Continental Calendar"
