The Beginning of the End of Super Week?

by Chief Commissaire on Dec 4, 2008 9:46 AM EST

Cyclingnews.com has a story about the new Midwest Cycling Series. Described as a "10-day professional cycling series to be held from June 18-28," it promises to feature top purses in best-of-class venues.

You can't argue with the men backing it - none other than U.S. Bicycle Hall of Famer and former 7-Eleven pro Tom Schuler and former executive direction of the BIke Federation of Wisconsin Jack Hirt.

The question is whether this series (which includes traditional Super Week series stops in Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and the cash-rich, spectator-friendly Downer Avenue) will shift cyclists' plans from making the trip to Wisconsin in June rather than July.

It's no secret that Super Week (officially titled the "Point Premium Root Beer International Cycling Classic") has been mired in financial difficulties the past few years - to the point of not paying officials, bouncing prize checks and even refusing to compensate the course barrier company - a story that is worthy of an entire post by itself.

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a story that is worthy of an entire post by itself.

by Sui Juris on Dec 4, 2008 9:50 AM EST reply actions

Yes, please share more if you know more.

I was back home visiting and attended both the Grafton and Sheboygan races this year and they used to be part of Superweek but then pulled out and I thought I had read that it was because they wanted to move their dates to when they better fit them. The Grafton race had a lot of people watching but I really didn’t get the Sheboygan one. Granted it did rain, and heavily, during the day but there were not that many people out to watch it and there wasn’t much promotion going on for it.

I’m curious if the pull out of Superweek this year and moving of the dates was done with this set up in mind for the future. At one time didn’t they want a serious more for just WI and not one like Superweek going from WI into IL?

"The most wasted day is that in which we have not laughed."

by nikki on Dec 4, 2008 11:47 AM EST reply actions

heck I want to hear more too

by lyne on Dec 4, 2008 1:45 PM EST reply actions

As The Story Goes...

The company that provided course barriers for the race this year actually was owed money for last year’s services. So a couple days into this year’s race – still not having been paid for last year – the barrier guys pulled a fast one.

They drove their truck onto the course, but instead of starting to unload the barriers, they parked the thing right on the start/finish line. What happened next was classic. They got out, walked over to a nearby sewer grate and dropped the keys down the drain.

You can guess what happened next. The guys took a hike, the cops had to be called, the races had to be delayed and the truck had to ultimately be towed away.

by Chief Commissaire on Dec 4, 2008 9:18 PM EST reply actions