World Tour Status for an American Race?

[polisheggplant]

With races in Australia, Canada and China being granted WT status, when will one of the U.S. races be able to accomplish the same? I understand that most of the American races are still young, but is this not the 'inaugural' Tour of Beijing? With California and Colorado drawing a respectable field, couldn't they be candidates for the the next designation, or is there something I'm missing? Would they have to change their dates so as not to interfere with another event? (ie:Giro and California)

 

[ingsve]

With races in Australia, Canada and China being granted WT status, when will one of the U.S. races be able to accomplish the same? I understand that most of the American races are still young, but is this not the 'inaugural' Tour of Beijing? With California and Colorado drawing a respectable field, couldn't they be candidates for the the next designation, or is there something I'm missing? Would they have to change their dates so as not to interfere with another event? (ie:Giro and California)

The main thing that is keeping ToC from becoming a WT event is that they want to invite all the US continental teams but those would not be allowed to start a WT race. As long as that's the case I'm think ToC will stay 2.HC. Unless the new stage races in Utah and Colorado become big enough so that they can live with not having the continental teams in ToC.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

The WT status has been given to races like Beijing because if it didn't have that status the top teams wouldn't show up. The TDU had the same thing to some extent (but not anymore I don't think.

The American races have a set of teams from a decently-organised national calendar and a group of WT teams who will want to advertise in that market and will therefore race it. They don't need the "help" getting teams to show up. Besides, what's better for the race, a set of American Continental teams who will get in breakaways and for whom this is one of their season's main goals, or whatever third-tier team of riders that don't really want to be there that Euskaltel, Ag2r or Lampre send?

 

[Fetisoff]

Do that many Americans care to see the Euskaltel, Katusha, Astana and Quickstep riders racing? Don't think so. Just like I don't think world tour races would be viable anywhere else in Canada, but Quebec.

Maybe a one-day race in between the Quiznos challenge and the Canadian races, I'm not exactly sure of what a good location for it would be.

 

[polisheggplant]

The WT status has been given to races like Beijing because if it didn't have that status the top teams wouldn't show up. The TDU had the same thing to some extent (but not anymore I don't think.

The American races have a set of teams from a decently-organised national calendar and a group of WT teams who will want to advertise in that market and will therefore race it. They don't need the "help" getting teams to show up. Besides, what's better for the race, a set of American Continental teams who will get in breakaways and for whom this is one of their season's main goals, or whatever third-tier team of riders that don't really want to be there that Euskaltel, Ag2r or Lampre send?

Well that makes sense, since I thought there were non U.S. continental teams in some WT events already. However, would WT status possibly attract something better from teams like Euskaltel or Ag2r? Then again, it is nice to see the American Continental teams in these races, and I would hate to see them sacraficed in a selfish and maybe fruitless attempt to changel peoples opinions on the race's level of prestige..

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Well that makes sense, since I thought there were non U.S. continental teams in some WT events already. However, would WT status possibly attract something better from teams like Euskaltel or Ag2r? Then again, it is nice to see the American Continental teams in these races, and I would hate to see them sacraficed in a selfish and maybe fruitless attempt to changel peoples opinions on the race's level of prestige..

Nope, no continental teams in WT events. ProContinental teams, yes (hence Team Type 1 and United Healthcare can show up if invited), but not Continental.

As to WT status possibly attracting something better from teams like Euskaltel and Ag2r? Well, just look at the teams they send to races like the Tour Down Under. Theoretically it could lead to better teams from them because of points being available. But there's not enough time for the big guns to do it then be back for the Vuelta, and the Vuelta a Burgos is just before it. All Euskaltel's big guns will be there. Ag2r? Well, there's the Tour de l'Ain, the Tour de Limousin, the Tour Poitou-Charentes et de la Vienne and the GP Ouest France-Plouay. Quite a lot of French calendar races there. Quite likely you'll get a makeshift team and even if you do get the better riders on the teams, they'll just roll round to make the numbers up like Andy Schleck at Tirreno-Adriatico, in which case if you have enough 'name' riders anyway (as they will have in Colorado and Utah with Radioshack, BMC, HTC, Rabo etc rocking into town) you may as well save the money that the WT costs and have those continental teams. After all, it's the peak of their season. They want that race more than Euskaltel or Ag2r ever will.

 

[Fetisoff]

Nope, no continental teams in WT events. ProContinental teams, yes (hence Team Type 1 and United Healthcare can show up if invited), but not Continental.

As to WT status possibly attracting something better from teams like Euskaltel and Ag2r? Well, just look at the teams they send to races like the Tour Down Under. Theoretically it could lead to better teams from them because of points being available. But there's not enough time for the big guns to do it then be back for the Vuelta, and the Vuelta a Burgos is just before it. All Euskaltel's big guns will be there. Ag2r? Well, there's the Tour de l'Ain, the Tour de Limousin, the Tour Poitou-Charentes et de la Vienne and the GP Ouest France-Plouay. Quite a lot of French calendar races there. Quite likely you'll get a makeshift team and even if you do get the better riders on the teams, they'll just roll round to make the numbers up like Andy Schleck at Tirreno-Adriatico, in which case if you have enough 'name' riders anyway (as they will have in Colorado and Utah with Radioshack, BMC, HTC, Rabo etc rocking into town) you may as well save the money that the WT costs and have those continental teams. After all, it's the peak of their season. They want that race more than Euskaltel or Ag2r ever will.

Actually Euskaltel and Ag2R have sent solid teams to the two Canadian races last year, so having a one-day race in the states right before of after those two COULD work...

 

[Dekker_Tifosi]

Indeed, Samuel Sanchez was even one of the main animators of the races in Canada.

Euskaltal is criticised to easily because of their past. They're not that bad anymore

 

[Havetts]

Yea, but the canadian races are perfectly placed in the season for the final autumn classics. The Tour of California is not really the best preparation for the Tour so you wont see AG2R, Euskaltel etc. send their best squads to the ToCali. Their sponsor isnt interested in it either, so they would have no reason to send a top squad.

However the ToColorado might be a great way to get in form for the autumn classics, or a great way to end your season (Cadel), so alot of teams would send their top men to see how their form is and if they need to improve. Therefore the WT teams would have reasons to send their A-squads, instead of, with all respect, their B teams.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Indeed, Samuel Sanchez was even one of the main animators of the races in Canada.

Euskaltal is criticised to easily because of their past. They're not that bad anymore

Euskaltel are also brought up because their sponsor is the most regional of the regional sponsors and because of their selection policy they often have the thinnest pickings of top names. And the Vuelta is so key to their season that all it takes is one injury to a key name and they're sending a thin roster.

 

[polisheggplant]

My mistake. I was confusing the pro continental with the continental. That being said, I would still rather see the likes of quality continental teams like Jelly Belly, Exergy, Bissell etc. with everything on the line than a pro squad of 2nd or 3rd tier (with all due respect to those riders) riders, or a big name pro not trying at all. Thats not to say I don't like the amount of pro teams in there now. It does seem to be a good mix that provides for an interesting race. It will be interesting to see how California, Colorado and Utah grow/survive over the coming years. I think the sport of cycling is gaining ground in the US. It will always be way down the list, but at least it seems to be on the rise.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

also races like beijing are uci owned (to my knowledge?). The WT status in this case is as much about greed and money as 'globalizing' the sport.

Is there any more news on teams boycotting this one? I hope so(no disrespect meant towards china).