USAC to Battenkill: Nope (+Update)

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 6, 2008 1:37 PM EST in N. American Racing

Per Velonews, USA Cycling denied the appeal of the Battenkill Tour organizers for inclusion in the UCI America Tour. The race goes on, naturally, but it'll be at least another year before it gets to join the top ranks of domestic pro racing.

The race has gotten some attention lately, in part because by all accounts its dirt tracks and sharp climbs make for an incredible circuit, and in part because they called on their senator, Chuck Schumer, to lobby USA Cycling for inclusion. But letters from powerful people are no substitute for some of the details of race promoting, according to Sean Petty of USA Cycling, who politely points out that the promoters haven't yet demonstrated the wherewithal to run a top pro event. This is where my own understanding starts to break down, but we fans are usually pretty sensitive to legitimate-sounding rider complaints about race mismanagement. So, fair play to USAC. Update, by Chris: or maybe not. See the promoter's description in the comments.

Battenkill used Schumer to get people's attention, which worked. Now let them go back to the drawing board and figure out how to run a top-flight pro event for, say, 2010.

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Please, please tell me

that the VN report has taken something out of context or that I’ve misunderstood. They did not refuse that race because the course takes the riders over some gravel??? That would be truly sad.

Never, ever, work with a sprinter.

by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Dec 6, 2008 4:11 PM EST reply actions

The Real reason...

is the road closure problem. The budget for Police would swamp the race’s finances.
Everything else gets more expensive too. Fees, officials, team “hosting”.
Dieter has an amazing race that is popular because of the epic nature of the course. But it would be a challenge to be in a caravan on the narrow,twisty dirt roads. The race explodes and separates into lots of small groups that form, break apart,and reform again with different riders. A neutral support nightmare. Cars can only follow where there is gap bigger than a minute, so motos would have to carry not just heaps of wheels but all the officials too.
With pros, the demands on a promoter to run a safe, organized race. It may have been the estimation of USAC and UCI that those requirements weren’t met.

by MavicMoto on Dec 6, 2008 4:41 PM EST reply actions

I see your point,

but it seems a shame to let those sorts of things stop the race. And BTW, I really appreciate that explanation. But anyway, those concerns would seem to preclude only the interesting races and leave us with essentially what we have in the US which is ridiculous business park crits, argghh.

Do you think it was the right decision, based on what you know?

Never, ever, work with a sprinter.

by Put 'Em in the Gutter on Dec 6, 2008 5:49 PM EST reply actions

From the Promoter

There was/is no issue with road closure for the added Sunday Pro Race (which is going on as planned, btw). USAC knew that I have the full support of 4 separate police departments including the NYS Police for the day, which DOES include a full rolling closure for the Pro Men on Sunday. And I have the budget for it all. USAC knew this as well and lied about this and other things in the press. EVERYTHING is in order for all facets of a full professional event. USAC knew this and decided to deny it anyway. I suspect they are protecting Medalist and the TdG if they actually come back in 2010 (I have my doubts since the primary sponsor is the State of Georgia and they don’t have any money). AND – USAC doesn’t like me. I get it. It’s a shame they play games with the sport. I’m not going away, however. The Battenkill is a Professional event in 2009. I nor any promoter doesn’t need the blessing of the USAC or even the UCI for this. The UCI sanctioning matters very little in the end. I’ll save thousands, actually, because the USAC charges a bundle for UCI and NRC races.

7 US and Canadian Pro Teams immediately said they were coming anyway after the UCI denied it. I expect 13-14 total, perhaps even some European 2nd tier teams. Working on tv and/or online web broadcast. Prepare for a great weekend!

Dieter Drake
Anthem Sports
Promoter – Tour of the Battenkill
www.tourofthebattenkill.com

by Battenkill on Dec 6, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions

Wow. Thanks for the insight and welcome!!!

Please keep us informed on the event and especially the web broadcast if you get it set up. As you’ll find, we here tend to love that stuff and tune it whenever we find it. You’d have us here blogging away about it if it happens!

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

by nikki on Dec 7, 2008 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

Thank you Dieter

Obviously a few of us, or perhaps a lot of us, are becoming interested in your race regardless of its certification. I’m sure a number of us will be there, and I plan to race it sometime in the next few years. In any event, have a great race this year and we look forward to it being properly recognized.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Dec 7, 2008 3:02 AM EST up reply actions

USAC playing politics?

No waaaaay. I so can’t believe it.

/sarcasm.

Looking forward to seeing coverage of the race – it looks sweet. Wish I was in New England, so I could come check it out. Wait. What am I saying? It’s snowing in New England right now. Um, wish I could come check out the race. Phew, that was close.

by Jen See on Dec 8, 2008 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Battenkill: It's ALIVE!

Ride for the hills everyone, it’s alive! Great news. I’m happy to hear that the race is healthy enough that you don’t have to depend on USAC to carry on with a bright future, Maybe the licensed cyclist who participate should be helping to apply the pressure to get the race recognized. And to thank you, Dieter, for your hard work and dedication to cycling.

Speed on the descent can easily be lost when you slam into a tree.

by flying dog on Dec 7, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions