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Senator backs NY race's bid to replace TdG in 2009

By VeloNews.com
Published: Dec. 2, 2008

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y) has stepped up to support the Tour of the Battenkill’s application to 
be included in the 2009 UCI America Tour.

In mid-November, despite authorization from the UCI for a late application, USA Cycling declined to review promoter Dieter Drake’s bid to replace the Tour of Georgia on the UCI America Tour.

Drake applied for UCI 1.2 status on November 18, three days after TdG promoters announced that the race would not be run in 2009 as part of an effort to rebuild for 2010.

Two days later, Justin Rogers, USA Cycling national events director, wrote Drake to inform him that the application had been rejected, citing the late application, disrespect for the governing body’s process, and a lack of detail about the proposed course.

On Monday, Schumer wrote a
 letter to Sean Petty, USA Cycling's chief operating officer, urging 
him to support the Tour of Battenkill's application.

"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 the Battenkill, dubbed “America’s Queen of the Classics,” is a pro-am bicycle race in southern Washington
 County. One-third of its 100km are on hard-packed dirt roads that emulate
 the legendary cobblestone courses in Belgium and northern France. The pro race covers the circuit twice.

Click here to read the full text of Schumer's letter.