News

Rick Geist  (PezCycling News - June 29, 2006)

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Volunteer Race Marshals Needed      

(December 21, 2008) - Volunteer road marshals are needed for the 2009 International Tour de Toona (July 13-19).  All road marshals will receive a free race T-shirt.

Race marshals help ensure the safety of the event by keeping spectators, recreational cyclists, cars, children, and stray animals out of the way of the competitors and race caravan during the race.  Race marshals are assigned a specific post for the entire race.

Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt, sandwich, beverage, and an up-close and personal view of the action.

To register to be a race marshal, click here.   Volunteers will be contacted by the Tour de Toona.

Larry Bilotto
Race Director

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A Message from the Director...

(October 14, 2008) - We are pleased to announce we are on the USCF National Race Calendar (NRC) for Monday July 13th thru Sunday July 19th, 2009.

Tour de Toona will be returning to a 7-day stage race format for pro men and women along with a 3-day points race for the amateur categories as was done in the past.  This year's pro races will also feature a mountain-top stage finish at the Blue Knob Ski Resort with the start to occur at Seven Springs Ski Resort in Somerset.

The 2008 Toona criterium is in the books and we had a beautiful day of racing.  All seemed to go well that day, especially for Laura van Gilder (Cheerwine) and Luis Amaran (Colavita Sutter Home p/b Cooking Light).  Even though the turnout was light in comparison in past years, the Race Committee was pleased to see the support of some familiar faces who returned for the 1-day event.

Stay tuned for more as the year develops....

Larry Bilotto
Race Director

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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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(December 2007) 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)