There's no evidence of widespread disenchantment with professional bicycling if you check out the 2008 USA Cycling Professional Tour calendar.
We'll witness 44 days of pro cycling in the US in 2008, up from 32 days in 2007. Sixteen races overall, up from 13 last year.
Most of the increase is due to the addition of multi-day tours in Pennsylvania and Colorado. It's good to see the Tour of California, Tour de Georgia and Tour of Missouri are making return engagements as well. The calendar also features 10 one-day bicycle races.
New tours
One of the new stage races is the American Eagle Outfitters tour of Pennsylvania, set for June 24-29. The six-day race will cater to cyclists under the age of 25.
Another new race is the 3-day Colorado Stage Race that brings pro racers to the Rocky Mountains Aug. 22-24.
Pro Tour
Last year was the first time USA Cycling promoted a Professional Tour, with points for winning riders and teams. Levi Leipheimer won the individual title, while the Discovery Channel pro cycling team won the team title.
Since the Discovery Channel team dissolved last year, Leipheimer has signed to ride with Astana in 2008.
The 2008 US cycling calendar:
Feb. 17-24: Amgen Tour of California
April 13: US Cycling Open, Richmond, Va.
April 21-27: Tour de Georgia
May 4: US Air Force Cycling Classic, Virginia
May 24: Tour de Leelanau, Traverse City, Mich.
June 3: Commerce Bank Allentown Classic, Pennsylvania
June 5: Commerce Bank Reading Classic, Pennsylvania
June 8: Commerce Bank International Championship, Philadelphia
June 24-29: American Eagle Outfitters Tour of Pennsylvania
Aug. 8-10: Rochester Omnium, New York
Aug. 17: USA Cycling Professional Criterium Championships, Downers Grover, Ill.
Aug. 22-24: Colorado Stage Race
Aug. 30: USA Cycling Professional Time Trial National Championships, Greenville, SC
Aug. 31: USA Cycling Professional Road National Championships, Greenville
Sept. 6: Univest Grand Prix, Souderton, Pa.
Sept. 8-14: Tour of Missouri (website hasn't been updated)
For more information, see the USA Cycling press release; also “UCI level racing in Colorado and Pennsylvania next year.”
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