zootracer
Posts:835
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| 10/30/2019 05:09 PM |
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Flip over to Velonewscom 2020 Amgen Tour Of Ca canceled. Unknown if it will return..sounds like financial problems...too bad..I've watched it roar through my neck of the woods a few times.. |
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6ix
Posts:485
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| 10/31/2019 08:00 AM |
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While at the same time the ASO is planning a new week-long stage race in Saudi Arabia. Talk about following the money and not caring about things like, you know, spectators. Should be equally captivating with the completely flat and straight roads surrounded by stunning scenery of sand, more sand and asphalt.
I know it's just how the world works but it's always the same thing with these countries wanting to show themselves to be part of the Western world. It's all a facade. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/31/2019 08:42 AM |
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This won't be a popular take, but the ToC was never really that good of a race. Tried to span too much distance which made most of the stages boring, or worse, the decisive stages came early in the race.
TBH, the best editions were when it was in February....once it switched to May, they struggled to get the best riders due to the conflict with the Giro. The last few years the GC battle was mostly secondary to the Sagan Glorification parade.
*ducks and runs for cover* |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 10/31/2019 09:14 AM |
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| You got my vote CK. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 10/31/2019 10:34 AM |
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| The irony of EPO maker sponsoring a bike race is over? |
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Cranky Tom
Posts:58
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| 10/31/2019 11:56 AM |
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| As much as I hate to admit it, CK's assessment is spot on. But, having grown up just outside Sacramento and now living in Southern California, it was always fun to see them racing on roads I know so well. I'll miss it. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/31/2019 02:01 PM |
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As much as I hate to admit it, CK's assessment is spot on.
Thanks....I think. 
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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smokey52
Posts:498
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| 10/31/2019 02:35 PM |
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| Maybe the Tour de Trump will revive on the east coast? LA "won" two of them. |
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Cranky Tom
Posts:58
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| 10/31/2019 02:38 PM |
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| Oh, Haha - I'm sorry CK - I can see how that might read differently than I intended it to. I meant that your take on the ToC forced me to admit that I've really only enjoyed it for sentimental reasons. You are on point about the quality of the racing. I find your take on most things around here to be very insightful so I have no problem admitting that you're on point yet again! |
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mondonico
Posts:158
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| 10/31/2019 03:09 PM |
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I have enjoyed going to the race when nearby. But you could tell things were going down hill by attendance. We went less and less every year ourselves. Changing from Feb. was a weather thing I believe. It seemed like it always rained. And even in the best years it seemed it was viewed as more of a training week than anything else.
America is just not a country that is willing to invest in tour type bicycling racing. We want made for TV events that don't take time to get invested. |
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/31/2019 03:20 PM |
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Posted By smokey 52 on 10/31/2019 02:35 PM
Maybe the Tour de Trump will revive on the east coast? LA "won" two of them.
He won 2 Tours DuPont....the Tours de Douche were won by Dag-Otto Lauritzen and Raul Alcala. |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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Cosmic Kid
Posts:4209
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| 10/31/2019 03:22 PM |
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@ Tom...yeah, I knew what you meant. Just couldn't resist that reply.  |
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| Just say "NO!" to WCP!!!!
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79pmooney
Posts:3189
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| 11/06/2019 11:16 AM |
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Good article in VeloNews today.
https://www.velonews.com/2019/11/commentary/commentary-domestic-teams-fought-hard-at-the-amgen-tour-of-california_502293
Talks of TOC going World Tour was ultimately its death sentence because it shut out the continental teams (all but 3 or 4) and ended the opportunities for US riders to show their stuff in front of European DSs and also talk to them up close and in person. So the TOC was no longer a goal for the vast majority of US racers and the interest of US fans dwindled because they were no longer watching former clubmates battling with the best.
Reminds me of my Dad's advice. "Be careful what you ask for. You might get it."
Ben |
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Orange Crush
Posts:4499
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| 11/06/2019 11:52 AM |
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| I'm not sure that even keen US fan interest could have rescued it. Fan interest doesn't necessarily translate into the dollar numbers needed to run the event. The Jonathan Vaughters take on it (CN article) was probably closer and it may simply not be possible to sustainable host these types of stage races stand-alone in North America. He suggested a combination of a pro-race with a MAMIL fondo-type event to create the necessary funds for hosting the race. A funny and interesting notion. |
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longslowdistance
Posts:2886
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| 11/06/2019 08:53 PM |
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| Back in the day the Tour du Pont had a single day circuit race here in Richmond, VA each year. It took a few years, but it became a staple and our modest downtown was absolutely jammed every year for this stage. It was huge. A day of pro bike racing was just the right amount to get the fans out and shut up the whiners. The 2015 Worlds held here so many years later also was a huge success. Bike racing can sell in the US, with consistency, proper promotion, and minimizing inconvenience. |
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