White Rock Race Organizer needs history lesson

Braveheart

I was struck by this comment from a press release by the Canadian Cycling Association (CCA):


"Tour de White Rock race organizer, Rita Clarkson adds that “what’s most exciting for us to be selected as part of the National series is that it acknowledges the history and quality of our race in White Rock. For 26 years we’ve been working mostly with local sponsors. It’s nice to finally get the national recognition. It’s proof that community events like ours are the lifeblood of the sport and the only way we can have our riders compete at the national level. "

For 26 years they had mostly local sponsors?????? "Finally get national recognition"?

Tour of Whiterock was one of the first Canada Cup races back in 1986. From 1989 to 1993 it was part of the Canadian Tire National cycling Series. It had national sponsors and big money.

You'd think the race organizers would know that?

I realize the CCA and race organizers are trying to be positive about a crappy series with next to no prize money* but let's not forget or obfuscate the past.

Instead of the blatant and failed attempt at hype, how about giving us a written official prize list, rules on how the points will be distrubuted, team rules, etc, etc, etc. Mid-April and we still know next to nothing about this supposed "series".

The supposed big step forward has not even caught up to where we were 19 years ago.

*the "new" "national" series has only four or five race in three provicnes. (ON at Elliot Lake 460kms north of Toronto! One race in QC and the rest in BC), making it harldy national. None of the races are new.

Total prize money for the entire series, apart from the local money, is $10,000 for Men AND Women. That would not even come close to just covering expenses to travel the country to get to the races if you win overall.

No rules or details have been provided at all since the series was announced about six months ago.

No sponsors have been announced for the series.

Ed Arzouian,
St. Anicet, QC