Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, who travelled to London
in July to promote the bid for ProTour status, says joining the ProTour circuit would cement South Australia’s reputation
as the cycling capital of Australia.
“Since the Tour Down Under began nearly 10 years
ago, cycling has become synonymous with our State.
“There has been a boom in young cyclists taking up
the sport and achieving recognition on the world stage, as well as huge growth in recreational cycling and cycle tourism.
“In addition, we have marketed South Australia internationally
using our renowned and increasingly successful sponsorship of southaustralia.com - AIS professional cycling team.
“Achieving ProTour status will put us among the A-list
of international cycling and lead to further growth and achievement in the sport here in South Australia.
“The fact that we are being considered for a race series
that counts toward international ranking for cyclists is a huge sign of confidence in the State’s ability to host an
international standard race.”
ASO & co
Meanwhile the conflicht between the Grand Tour organizers and the UCI seems to be far from
over. Many of the races that are being organized by ASO, RCS and Unipublic would only get a European continental status in
2008. Races like Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Milano-San Remo are all monuments and organized by the Grand Tour
organizers.
In a statement Tour de France organizer ASO reacted on the new UCI plans. Here is the full statement:
"Contrary to what its President recently stated, the International Cycling Union has not
answered the ASO’s legitimate expectations, for the future of the Tour de France and other events it organises.
These proposals would notably create a “European” schedule for such well known and long standing events, which
are Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Paris-Nice, Paris-Tours and La Flèche Wallonne, which have always been included on
the world calendar.
Additionally, the Tour de France would be forced to follow the participation rules of the “Pro Tour” and would
be forced to use this closed system the A.S.O. is not in agreement with.
The A.S.O. deems these proposals to be harmful and unacceptable for the concerned events and more in general for the interest
of cycling.
Noting the failure of negotiations and, once again, the refusal of the UCI to listen to the legitimate demands of the major
events and preoccupied by the situation this has created, A.S.O. has turned to the French Cycling Federation and the Royal
Belgian Cycling Federation in asking them to help preserve the future of these cycling “Classics”.
In addition, A.S.O. hopes that the meeting to be held in Paris next October 22 and 23, organised by the French Minister
of Health and Sport, will make it possible to develop an efficient action plan, along with all those involved in professional
cycling and in a framework assuring the largest objectivity and impartialness required, to end the practice, that until recently
has tarnished the image of this magnificent sport and it’s champions."
