The International Tour de Toona

A Message from the Director

(April 15, 2008) - The 2008 Tour de 'Toona has been scaled back to a one-day criterium which will take place on Sunday, July 27.  This strategic downsizing will allow our race committee to re-tool and come back stronger for next year's event.

It is within this context I am pleased to announce the 2009 Tour de Toona will return to our traditional 7-day stage race format for both pro men and women, including the popular 3-day omnium points race and weekend amateur events.  Next year's professional races will also showcase a first time feature in our 23 year history: a mountain-top finish at the Blue Knob ski resort.  Please keep watch while we plan the new race courses heading into the summer of '09.

The $30,000 purse for this year's criterium will be equally divided between the men's and women's events.  Each field will compete in a 40-mile race on the traditional 1-mile downtown course in Altoona.  Television coverage on Comcast Sports Net will provide racers, teams, and sponsors alike with a broadcast venue to show their talents to spectators around the country who cannot come out to see the event in person.

On behalf of the Race Committee, we truly appreciate the show of support and loyalty from competitors, teams, and spectators who have always made our event a premier stop on the national racing calendar.  And with your continued support, this year's event will be no different.

Larry Bilotto
Race Director

For those who couldn't join us last year, please dowload our promotional video from last year's women's race.

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Ken Steel Inspiration Award - A new award for Men Cat 5 is being given from the Firefighters of the City of Altoona to honor their fallen comrade who made cycling his passion and from whose passion grew the inspiration for the humble beginings of today's International Tour de 'Toona.

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We are sad to announce that one of Tour de Toona's longtime patrons and volunteers, Tom Snyder, has passed away.  Tom was not only one of the core volunteers for our event, but he also worked hard to maintain local bike trails as part of the Rails to Trails program and as a motorcycle escort for the Multiple Sclerosis 150 rides.   Cycling, the community, and his family have lost a very good man, and we will honor Tom at this year's event.  (Read more about Tom)