Road Bike Racing - Tour De Georgia no more?

Link to story (http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/hall/newfullstory.asp?ID=113328)

That sucks!!!

I wonder what the negative economic impact of this move will be. I can see the argument against the state funding the race but when you look at the money I would think in the end it is a wash...or at least a worthly expense.

Well...now I have no reason to ever go to Georgia....

I am still shaking my head in disbelief. I ASSUME next weeks race won't be affected.....or could it?

I guess this is the result of not having Lance around anymore...

I am still shaking my head in disbelief. I ASSUME next weeks race won't be affected.....or could it?

I would assume this is the budget for next year..

Holy hell is the ToG next week? Sheesh this year is going fast.....

What an amazingly dumb and short sighted decision by the state.

Too bad.

That was turning into a great race.

I have a t-shirt that they were selling that says, "The Grand Tours of Europe Start Here".

Hopefully they can get it sorted out. You'd think Coca Cola would step up. To them, that's chump change for a company HQ'd in Atlanta.

balls.

Am guessing that it's for the 2008 budget, since we've not been notified of any such cancellation, and my flight to Atlanta is Saturday morning.

It just means that they'll have to look for a sponsor to pick up the slack in the already slacky slack.

the economic impact of the race was placed at about $35million last year. That's a pretty good investment return for a $800k line item. Giving that money back to the residents will generate how much?

But try to convince a family of 4 making minimum wage and having a hard time putting food on the table that their money is better spent on a weeklong event for a bunch of guys in spandex? They won't see the connection.
These are, after all, elected officials who want to be re-elected officials someday.

Am guessing that it's for the 2008 budget, since we've not been notified of any such cancellation, and my flight to Atlanta is Saturday morning.


The money would go to the 2007 event. The Georgia House approved it but the Senate rejected it. The details and links are on my Tour de Georgia Dashboard Page (http://www.steephill.tv/2007/tour-de-georgia/). I just posted the team rosters as well. Regardless of the budget, the event is definitely a go this year.

This is too bad. Although the majority of the benefit will go the the Buckhead McMansion owners. And a family of 4 making minimum wage are not homeowners. They are renters. And do you think they are going to see the tax break the landlord is getting as a reduction in rent?

So lets not get too bleeding heart here.

I'm not. I just know how politicians operate.

It was a supplemental budget, not the main budget...the supplemental budget is supposed to only be for emergency mid-year shortfalls(not for stuff like the TdG) and the house put in a ton of pork so the Lt Gov axed it all and rightly so.

The House(the speaker in general) is being super annoying and is starting a pissing match with the Senate, just so you guys know blame should be laid on all of em.

btw - eventually the House gave in and accepted what the Lt Gov allowed in the supplemental budget which was indigent defense, tornado victim money, Peachcare which is comprehensive health care for children w/o insurance & school system money. The tax credit is a flat $100 for all homeowners, which in relative terms is a smaller % tax benefit to buckhead mcmansion owners and a larger to those on a smaller income.

The TOC showed a increase in attendance this year and if the TOG does to maybe they will decide it is worth the small investment for a large return. I dont understand the lodgic, people fly from all over the US to stay in georgia's hotels, eat georgia's food and purchase products for a week or more. This has to pump more miney into the economy than 800k

Bummer .... real bummer .... crap. :(


... Brad

Dang. Our Tour of Utah is cancelled and now to hear TOG will be too. That does suck.

I think it's a lot of posturing to get TdG support out in full force to entice a high-ticket sponsor to sign on, and to try to make the Ga Senate look bad...

I'd put money on an '08 TdG

ps. I don't trust Glenn Richardson farther than I can throw him

follow up story at velonews:

http://www.velonews.com/race/dom/articles/12059.0.html

Way too early to be worried about the state of Georgia not ponying up any cash for the Tour. And there's no reason private donations can't easily make that up. Does anyone know if the state monies were for overtime payments to state troopers helping out with the Tour or highway dept. workers out there picking up all the extra trash?

Couldn't they have given $148.2 million in tax rebates and given $800K to the race?

Nah. Not to worry. The TdG is obviously a hook to get bad coverage for budgetary restraint of any form. The obvious target is the $142M rebate. The subtext: "Look at all the great things government could do if you'd just let them take a little more of your money." (See immediately preceding post and try to ignore the math error. ;) )

AT&T to the rescue?
http://www.unionsentinel.com/news/2007/0412/Sports/038.html

AT&T to the rescue?
http://www.unionsentinel.com/news/2007/0412/Sports/038.html

That happened way before the budget announcement.

That happened way before the budget announcement.
yep.....
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2007/04/05/mettour0405a.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13

"That left Tour promoter Chris Aronhalt with an uneasy feeling as the countdown to race start neared and he was still missing nearly half the $2.3 million he needed to put on the event.

He said last week that his for-profit company had the resources to pull off the event, but that his company would reap the profit, or the debt, that resulted.

If no major donor stepped forward, he said, the race might not continue next year."

If no major donor stepped forward, he said, the race might not continue next year."

Hmmm.....Tour De Georgia presented by Bike Forums :) I like it.

Here is a different slant on the story.
http://www.accessnorthga.com/news/ap_newfullstory.asp?ID=90679
I think the TdG will be here for years to come and will become more and more popular each year.

I'll be in Macon tomorrow as a volunteer for the Komen Women's Crit and for the TdG finish.
Friday I'll be riding my bike up Brasstown Bald to watch the race. Saturday I'll be at the stage start and Sunday I'll be in Atlanta for the final stage circuit race.

Friday I'll be riding my bike up Brasstown Bald to watch the race.

If you pass me, throw me a rope......

(See immediately preceding post and try to ignore the math error. ;) )

You're saying they could pay the Math teachers more?

Like it would make a difference?