Letter to Sean Petty, Chief Operating Officer, USA Cycling

Letter

Letter to Sean Petty, Chief Operating Officer, USA Cycling

SCHUMER PUSHES FOR PRESTIGIOUS "TOUR OF BATTENKILL" BIKE RACE TO BE INCLUDED IN UCI AMERICA TOUR - WOULD ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS & ATHLETES, BOOST LOCAL ECONOMY

In Just Five Years, Washington County-Held Race Has Become Largest Amateur Biking Race in Country and Has Provided Critical Boon to Local Economy; But Application to Create New, Elite Professional Race Is Being Stymied By USA Cycling

Granting Tour UCI Status, Will Help Attract Top Professional Athletes, Fuel Regional and National Interest, Bring Over 20,000 Participants and Spectators

In Personal Letter to USA Cycling Group, Schumer Pushes For Reconsideration of Tour of Battenkill Application

In an effort to boost the local economy and support a world-class sporting event in Washington County, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today pushed USA Cycling to support the Tour of the Battenkill 's application to cycling's international governing body -- the Union Cycliste International (UCI) -- to be included in the UCI America Tour.

The race, which in five years has become the largest amateur bike race in the country, takes place in April in southern Washington County. The event attracted 15,000 visitors last year from all over the northeast and the inclusion of a new professional race is estimated to attract over 20,000 participants and spectators who all lodge, dine and visit the region during the event. Unfortunately, the Tour of Battenkill's current application for admission to the national tour was submitted late - at no fault of their own - when an unexpected opening became available on the UCI calendar.

To enhance the economic impact of the race on the region, Schumer wrote a personal letter to USA Cycling's Chief Operating Officer Sean Petty, urging him to support the Tour of Battenkill's application to have UCI status.

"The Tour of the Battenkill is an exciting and valued event for Washington County, thousands of cycling enthusiasts and the local economy. Granting the Tour of the Battenkill UCI status would bring top professional cyclists to the roads of Washington County and provide a shot in the arm for the local economy. I will push USA Cycling to support this application so that Washington County can reap the full benefits of this first-rate race," Schumer said.

The Tour of Battenkill applied for inclusion on the UCI calendar when the Tour of Georgia announced in November of this year that it would not hold a race in 2009. When this unexpected vacancy emerged, the Battenkill race's promoter submitted an application to USA Cycling three days later. Although the deadline was in June, the race promoter was encouraged to apply by UCI officials in Europe who cited the event's potential for developing cycling in the United States. USA Cycling, however, denied pointing to the earlier deadline.

Having UCI designation is critical in attracting top professional teams as it gives riders a chance to compete for "UCI points" that go towards national ranking and a competitive season-long series. The final decision on whether to grant UCI status will ultimately be made by the UCI itself. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland the UCI requires that the application is initially filed with the domestic country's governing body. Having the support of USA Cycling for the event is important in helping guide the UCI's final decision.

The Tour of the Battenkill is a pro-am bicycle race in Southern Washington County. Although it is a road-bike only event, one-third of the race's 100 kilometers are on harsh and unforgiving hard-packed dirt roads that emulate the legendary cobble-stone courses in Belgium and Northern France earning it the title of America's "Queen of the Classics." The professional race is scheduled to traverse the circuit twice making it a grueling 200k race.

Last year, the race drew 15,000 participants and spectators and was an economic boon for Washington County and surrounding areas. The race also helped benefit the Washington County Library system and the "Farm Team Cycling" - a program for local youth.

December 1, 2008

Sean Petty
Chief Operating Officer
USA Cycling
1 Olympic Plaza
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Dear Mr. Petty:

I write to ask that you reconsider the application from the Tour of Battenkill to replace the 2009 Tour of Georgia in 2009 on the UCI America Tour. As you know, the Tour of Georgia cancelled its 2009 race, and I believe Tour of Battenkill in Washington County of New York State is the perfect event to be included on the tour. The Battenkill Valley is an idyllic region of Upstate New York that is prepared and excited to attract even more attention to its already popular Tour of Battenkill event.

In just five years, the Tour of the Battenkill has become the largest amateur biking race in the country and winds through 60 exciting miles of the picturesque Washington Country. Twenty of the race's 60 miles are on harsh and unforgiving hard-packed dirt roads that emulate the legendary cobble-stone courses in Belgium and Northern France . But unlike Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Baston-Liege or the Tour of Flanders, the Tour of the Battenkill takes place right here in New York and has rightfully earned the title of America's "Queen of the Classics."

Last year drew 15,000 participants and spectators. This year the race is expected to attract over 20,000 people, creating an economic boon for Washington County and surrounding areas. Granting the race a UCI 2.1 status will ensure that some of the top professional cyclists in the country will race on back roads of Washington County. Their participation will help fuel regional and national interest in the event and attract more people to the sport of cycling.

Unfortunately, due to the late cancellation of the Tour of Georgia the organizers of the Battenkill Race did not submit their application with USA Cycling until after the application deadline had passed. The UCI , however, has encouraged the organizers to file an application with them directly. Having the support of USA Cycling for this event is critical. I respectfully ask that you re-consider the application, as I know that USA Cycling would not want to miss this exciting opportunity to fill an unanticipated gap in their 2009 schedule with one of the most exciting amateur biking races in the country.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Sam Schaeffer in my office at 212-486-4430.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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