One of cycling’s top Under 23 events is facing uncertainty due to a shortfall in budget of over 25%. The Ronde d’Isard features past winners such as Denis Menchov, Philip Deignan (pictured), Markus Fothen, Ignatas Konovalovas, Laurent Roux and Uwe Peschel, yet there is a chance the 2.2 event might not be held this season.
Organisers Gérard Vacaresse and Guy Sans have given themselves ten days to try to come up with a solution. As things stand right now, they face two big problems.
"It is true, there are big difficulties to finalise the race,” they told La Depeche du Midi. “Out of a budget of about €110 000, we are lacking €25,000 for the race. In addition, we do not yet know the finish city of the first stage.”
The race is due to take place in three months time. However the need to finalise the course and book hotels puts a time constraint on things, turning the screw on Vacaresse and Sans. They have just over a week to work out a plan, or to call it quits for 2011.
“We have looked everywhere, knocked on every door. They don’t open much,” said Vacaresse. “Only the regional council has increased its amount. The others, at best, keep things the same as before. It’s not enough. The start given to Toulouse last year didn’t produce the expected benefits. The contacts with Andorra didn’t succeed.”
If the race does go ahead, there will be cutbacks. “We cannot take 18 to 20 teams, as before,” he continued. “We don’t know how many, but it will be less. The race would also be cut from four to three days in length.”
Another problem is the increased amount charged by the French police for their assistance in ensuring races are run off smoothly and without danger from traffic. Fees for events are due to increase at 15% per annum over the next few years, further increasing strain on budgets already under pressure due to the European recession.