The International Tour de Toona

"It was a tough decision", said media director Bob Leverknight.  We weighed a lot of factors, the lack of sponsors, sponsors that cut their commitments, and the general economic climate caused the race to be put off for a year." 

The dropping of one of the only remaining stage races left in the United States leaves a gap in the development of young riders, as well as a true test of the professional racers that will be hard to fill.  In addition to the loss of incidental revenue to the local economy, the public will be denied one of the few free-to-the fan-events for the year.

"I'm very disappointed, that we had to postpone this year's race, but with times being what they are, we had to do this", said race director Larry Bilotto in a phone interview after the decision was made.  "This year, times are tough all over, but, as times improve, we will be back with our partners."  He said, referring to the long time sponsors and groups that put on the annual race, in addition to the many groups such as local fire departments, high school sports teams and civic groups, the individual volunteers who come out year after year will have one less public service project to help out with. 

"We depend on our volunteers to put on a safe race", promoter Rick Geist said.  "I feel sick about the postponement of the race, and I really want to thank all those who have helped us over the years."

Racers and team directors are also disappointed with the loss of cycling's premier events on the North American calendar.  "We plan our season around the Tour", said Denny Dansak, the team director for the Hershey Cancer Institute team.  "We have been involved in Toona for 10 years."  Racers, not only the professional teams, but the up-and-coming younger riders have few enough stage races to get valuable experience.  Most races are one day affairs, such as the 2008 Tour de Toona, more a test of bike handling than of the tactics and planning that a stage race requires. 

"American cycling needs races like 'Toona to be competitive on the world stage", Bob Leverknight said.  "We have the cycling talent, we just fall down when it comes to producing the world beating riders. Criteriums don't produce these riders, long stage races do."  One of the most recent 'Toona winners that went on to greatness on the world stage was Kirstin Armstrong, winner of the 2007 women's race. She went on to win the Olympic gold medal in Beijing last summer as well as a world champion title.

The International Tour de 'Toona will return in 2010. The break that postponement of the 2009 race gives will allow for more sponsors to step up, and a more thorough planning cycle for the race.  There are a few remaining irons in the fire where 'Toona in 2009 are concerned.  “We are talking about some events that may be able to go with a minimal amount of sponsorship dollars.  We want to keep this alive; and these events will help keep the cycling community going in this tough time", Leverknight concluded.