What was once considered to be one of cycling's best stage races in the country is now in danger of being nothing more than a brief memory.
The Tour of Utah, recently granted a coveted spot as one of only 15 races on the domestic UCI calendar, announced Friday it would not hold the 2007 race because of a lack of sponsorship funding.
"While enthusiasm and support for the Tour of Utah continues to be high, after several months of aggressive sales and marketing efforts, the management team was unable to secure the required level of sponsorship support needed to produce the multistage race they had planned," Tour of Utah officials said in a press release. "Based on initial feedback from potential sponsors, the race organizers believe that postponing the race will allow the time necessary to secure sufficient sponsor support to produce the race."
Ted Wilson, the former Salt Lake City mayor who was appointed executive director of the race in December, also announced his resignation from the board of directors.
The news is not welcomed by many in the local cycling community.
"Wow," was all Ryan Barrett, a local Category 1 and former pro cyclist, could say for a moment or two when he heard the news. "Wow. That's really unfortunate because I know a lot of people have been training and looking forward to this race."
According to those involved with promoting and producing the race — which was to be held from July 1-7 — cycling is experiencing a lack of sponsorship funding across the country.
"We had a certain date where we had to reach a level of sponsorship and when that came and we realized it wasn't going to happen, we decided the best thing to do was to postpone the race for a year," said Chip Smith of SOAR Communications, a partner and sponsor of the race. "They're still going to make a push forward and have it go again next year."
It is the second big race in the country to experience financial problems. The Tour de Georgia was also in danger of being postponed this year before funding, including some from the state of Georgia, was secured at almost the 11th hour.
That stage race — once the most prestigious in the country — will begin in two weeks with some of the top international teams competing.
The Tour of Utah, however, may not regain its status with the Tour de Georgia and the Tour of California after this setback.
Upgraded to a level 2.2 stage race by the UCI for 2007, the Tour of Utah might have lost some of its luster with the cancellation this year.
"I hope not," Smith said. "But that's something we'll have to work with USA Cycling to keep. The Tour of Utah is one of the toughest bike races in the country and we want to keep it that way."
In an effort to ensure the race is held next year, the Utah Sports Commission announced it will partner with Medalist Sports — the company producing the Tours of California, Georgia and Missouri, among other large sporting events — to develop a strategy to help the stage race survive.
"This strategy will allow the state to explore cycling in greater detail to the benefit of the sport and the Tour of Utah," Utah Sports Commission CEO Jeff Robbins said.
Medalist's experience in producing large sporting events will help, Barrett said.
"They run first-rate races, period," Barrett said. "So I would expect them to make a big difference in making sure it goes well next time."
E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com