matticus@oatmail.org

I love the idea. But it is kinda crazy. Why not go north/south? Or change
the route every year to feature different places? eastern coast one year,
the rockies/plains the next and west coast some other time?

On Fri, September 28, 2007 10:19 am, Matthew Klahn wrote:
> Well, the organizer at least thinks it's for real:
> http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/13403.0.html
>
>
> But, with UCI saying "It's too long", and being double the distance of
> the TdF, I don't think it will happen the way he thinks it's going to.
>
>
> You could maybe do something like start in NY, go through the NE, Ohio to
> Chicago, take a rest day & jet to Omaha, spend some time in the Rockies
> getting to Boulder & Denver, then to SLC, Utah, another rest day & jet to
> Reno, then into California and end up at SF. Probably could be done in 3
> weeks & with the long (relatively) jets over some of the middle flats,
> you'd have a more TdF type race with some really tough mountain stages in
> the eastern Rockies & in Utah, but not stupid distances like the guy's
> proposing now.
>
> But hey, all I've got is common sense; he's got 25 "experts" advising him
> to go through Podunk, TX & the hottest parts of the country in September.
>
> Matthew Klahn
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Matthew Klahn

Well, the organizer at least thinks it's for real:
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/13403.0.html

But, with UCI saying "It's too long", and being double the distance of the
TdF, I don't think it will happen the way he thinks it's going to.

You could maybe do something like start in NY, go through the NE, Ohio to
Chicago, take a rest day & jet to Omaha, spend some time in the Rockies
getting to Boulder & Denver, then to SLC, Utah, another rest day & jet to
Reno, then into California and end up at SF. Probably could be done in 3
weeks & with the long (relatively) jets over some of the middle flats, you'd
have a more TdF type race with some really tough mountain stages in the
eastern Rockies & in Utah, but not stupid distances like the guy's proposing
now.

But hey, all I've got is common sense; he's got 25 "experts" advising him to
go through Podunk, TX & the hottest parts of the country in September.

Matthew Klahn

Doug Hormann

From: Doug Hormann [mailto:djhormann@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 8:50 AM
To: 'Erik Long'
Subject: RE: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

Regarding spectator friendly venues. Try southern Missouri! Before you
laugh, I've been talking with Chris Reed and Gary Metcalf of Medalist
Sports, the race organizers for the Tour of Georgia, Tour of California and
now the Tour of Missouri (they also put on the Livestrong Challenge series).
Gary was dumbfounded at how the local rural mid-west crowd turned out to
cheer on the riders as they went through parts of Missouri that would
probably look familiar in a Field of Dreams (or Deliverance) sort of way.
People building haystack bikes, sitting on top of their tractors for a
better view. Schools busing in their students to watch. Whole towns lining
the streets as the peloton passed through. The Governor of Missouri was at
the event each day. Sounds like the local flavor of another big tour.

So don't put down a grand tour of America just yet. Yeah, I also laughed at
the 200 plus mile stages (multiple), and the promoters seem to know more
about marketing then they do about bike racing, but the idea of a national
tour seems to be gaining some traction in certain circles.

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Erik Long
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 11:03 AM
To: rcjohnson1@attglobal.net; Ken Finch
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

I've been THROUGH Tonopah. It's about the size of Shaniko, plus a movie
theater.

Let's all just agree that that the Tour of America is not going to happen.
At least, not in the format that it's been presented in so far. I mean,
come on, there's a handful of stages in there that are longer than friggin'
Amstel. What a joke. That's right up there with 178 meter velodromes.

Pro-level racing here in the states would benefit more from
spectator-friendly venues, TV coverage, and a little more hype for our older
events. Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege didn't become what they are
as result of a corporate brainchild and a five-year run. Races like those
are a long-standing tradition. We need to get our current classics some
recognition and leave the grand tours where they're appreciated.

> Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:44:11 -0700
> From: RCJohnson1@attglobal.net
> To: kj_finch@yahoo.com
> CC: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America
>
> The more I think about their whole proposed schedule the more I'm
> convinced this is either:
> a) a clever publicity stunt
> or
> b) some people who are completely out to lunch
>
> I mean come on, a stage finish in Tonopah, Nevada? Who's actually been
> to Tonopah? I don't know about you but that's far from the top of my
> list as a bicycling destination of any kind - let alone a race.
>
> Rick
>
> Ken Finch wrote:
>
> >At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the
demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major cause
of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the direction
professional cycling needs to be moving in.
> >
> >Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this off.
> >
> >Ken F.
> >_______________________________________________
> >OBRA mailing list
> >obra@list.obra.org
> >http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_____

Get news, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Check it
out!

Mike Murray

Erik Long wrote:
"What a joke. That's right up there with 178 meter velodromes."

Leaving aside the probability of building another velodrome in Oregon
(probably greater now than it ever has been before), a 178 meter velodrome
is not all that unusual. There are lots smaller. I have ridden a 125 m.
The Six Day in Ghent, Belgium is held on a 166. There are 166m tracks in:
GENEVA
GENT
COLOGNE
BERLIN
BREMEN
BASEL

There are many that are shorter.

The Alpenrose Velodrome has very long straights and short turns. Because of
this the turns are more like what you would generally see on a 166-200m
velodrome. If there is a velodrome built for the building t the State
Fairgrounds it will be smaller than Alpenrose but considerably easier to
ride.

Mike Murray

Freyensee, James P

We need to get our current classics some recognition and leave the grand
tours where they're appreciated.

I'll start on the recognition by mentioning Tour of Somerville, Nevada
City Classic and Manhattan Beach Grand Prix as oldest, big-time races
going on today (I think?) in US, 62nd, 47th, and 46th editions
respectively.

I know at one point in the last 10 years Nevada City and Manhattan Beach
were endanger of becoming extinct.

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Erik Long
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 11:03 AM
To: rcjohnson1@attglobal.net; Ken Finch
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

I've been THROUGH Tonopah. It's about the size of Shaniko, plus a movie
theater.

Let's all just agree that that the Tour of America is not going to
happen. At least, not in the format that it's been presented in so far.
I mean, come on, there's a handful of stages in there that are longer
than friggin' Amstel. What a joke. That's right up there with 178
meter velodromes.

Pro-level racing here in the states would benefit more from
spectator-friendly venues, TV coverage, and a little more hype for our
older events. Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege didn't become what
they are as result of a corporate brainchild and a five-year run. Races
like those are a long-standing tradition. We need to get our current
classics some recognition and leave the grand tours where they're
appreciated.

> Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:44:11 -0700
> From: RCJohnson1@attglobal.net
> To: kj_finch@yahoo.com
> CC: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America
>
> The more I think about their whole proposed schedule the more I'm
> convinced this is either:
> a) a clever publicity stunt
> or
> b) some people who are completely out to lunch
>
> I mean come on, a stage finish in Tonopah, Nevada? Who's actually been

> to Tonopah? I don't know about you but that's far from the top of my
> list as a bicycling destination of any kind - let alone a race.
>
> Rick
>
> Ken Finch wrote:
>
> >At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the
demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major
cause of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the
direction professional cycling needs to be moving in.
> >
> >Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this
off.
> >
> >Ken F.
> >_______________________________________________
> >OBRA mailing list
> >obra@list.obra.org
> >http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

________________________________

Get news, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Check
it out!

Erik Long

I've been THROUGH Tonopah. It's about the size of Shaniko, plus a movie theater.

Let's all just agree that that the Tour of America is not going to happen. At least, not in the format that it's been presented in so far. I mean, come on, there's a handful of stages in there that are longer than friggin' Amstel. What a joke. That's right up there with 178 meter velodromes.

Pro-level racing here in the states would benefit more from spectator-friendly venues, TV coverage, and a little more hype for our older events. Paris-Roubaix and Liege-Bastogne-Liege didn't become what they are as result of a corporate brainchild and a five-year run. Races like those are a long-standing tradition. We need to get our current classics some recognition and leave the grand tours where they're appreciated.

> Date: Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:44:11 -0700
> From: RCJohnson1@attglobal.net
> To: kj_finch@yahoo.com
> CC: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America
>
> The more I think about their whole proposed schedule the more I'm
> convinced this is either:
> a) a clever publicity stunt
> or
> b) some people who are completely out to lunch
>
> I mean come on, a stage finish in Tonopah, Nevada? Who's actually been
> to Tonopah? I don't know about you but that's far from the top of my
> list as a bicycling destination of any kind - let alone a race.
>
> Rick
>
> Ken Finch wrote:
>
> >At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major cause of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the direction professional cycling needs to be moving in.
> >
> >Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this off.
> >
> >Ken F.
> >_______________________________________________
> >OBRA mailing list
> >obra@list.obra.org
> >http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> >Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> >
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

_________________________________________________________________
News, entertainment and everything you care about at Live.com. Get it now!
http://www.live.com/getstarted.aspx

Leibowitz, Flo

or c) a really good practical joke. There are all kinds of fake sites and notices on the web as it is. Maybe this is one of them?

________________________________

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org on behalf of Rick C Johnson
Sent: Thu 9/27/2007 8:44 AM
To: Ken Finch
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

The more I think about their whole proposed schedule the more I'm
convinced this is either:
a) a clever publicity stunt
or
b) some people who are completely out to lunch

I mean come on, a stage finish in Tonopah, Nevada? Who's actually been
to Tonopah? I don't know about you but that's far from the top of my
list as a bicycling destination of any kind - let alone a race.

Rick

Ken Finch wrote:

>At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major cause of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the direction professional cycling needs to be moving in.
>
>Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this off.
>
>Ken F.
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Rick C Johnson

The more I think about their whole proposed schedule the more I'm
convinced this is either:
a) a clever publicity stunt
or
b) some people who are completely out to lunch

I mean come on, a stage finish in Tonopah, Nevada? Who's actually been
to Tonopah? I don't know about you but that's far from the top of my
list as a bicycling destination of any kind - let alone a race.

Rick

Ken Finch wrote:

>At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major cause of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the direction professional cycling needs to be moving in.
>
>Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this off.
>
>Ken F.
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>

Ken Finch

At a time when professional racers are already complaining about the demands of three week tours and those demands being cited as a major cause of doping, I'm not really sure if a 4 week, 3000 mile tour is the direction professional cycling needs to be moving in.

Not to mention all the other obstacles that exist to pulling this off.

Ken F.

George de Randich

I would imagine that it might be fun to watch! As I have said I believe
that watched a stage of the "Giro d'Italia", back in 1953!
George de Randich
----- Original Message -----
From: "Curt Dewees"
To: "OBRA list" ; "Shift List"
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 9:04 AM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

> Holy mackerel! This would be HUGE!
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> From: Nolfi, Jennifer
> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:29 AM
> To: Nolfi, Jennifer
> Subject: Tour of America
>
>
>
> FYI
>
> Tour of America Could Become a Reality
>
> SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/26/2007
>
> Aqu, Inc. will be organizing a new international cycling event that
> will be held in the United States: "The Tour of America." The event
> will cover approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the
> Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30
> days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most
> elite cycling teams in the world with a prize purse currently pegged
> at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event.
>
> Until this venture by Aqu, Inc., all major international cycling races
> were held outside the U.S. Smaller stage races are currently held
> across the country and draw respectable spectator crowds and provide
> significant economic impact to local communities. However, these races
> are geographically located within a single state. The Tour of America
> will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and
> cities along the way.
>
> "This event will be the greatest international cycling event in the
> world," said Aqu, Inc. President Frank Arokiasamy. "The Tour of
> America will provide the largest prize pool to international cyclists
> ever offered in history and will ensure quality competition from
> beginning to end. We are excited to finally bring one of the world's
> largest spectator sports to the United States through a major
> international competition."
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>

Joe Cipale

Rick C Johnson wrote:

> Yea, it could be huge. But it could also be a fishing expedition to see
> if there's even enough interest or support to make it happen. It doesn't
> cost hardly anything to issue a press release and have a website.
>
> I'll be real interested to see what time of year they propose this to
> happen. If they're expecting to attract Protour level talent when is
> there a month of the current schedule clear of conflicts with the big
> three grand tours? A window that still has interesting routes available
> with reasonable chances of good weather?
>

My sentiments exactly. Dont get me wrong, I think it would be not only huge, but very cool! I just dont see a window with the current UCI schedule.

Joe

Rick C Johnson

VeloNews is carrying the story with the following link:
http://waninggibbous.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19&Itemid=33

In summary they are proposing the first week of September to the first
week of October (direct conflict with the Vuelta), east coast to west
(New York, Indiana, Texas, Nevada, California).

Rick

Brian Engelen wrote:

>My Google search for Aqu Inc showed no results. Hoax?
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>Behalf Of Rick C Johnson
>Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 9:20 AM
>To: Curt Dewees
>Cc: OBRA
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America
>
>Yea, it could be huge. But it could also be a fishing expedition to see
>if there's even enough interest or support to make it happen. It doesn't
>cost hardly anything to issue a press release and have a website.
>
>I'll be real interested to see what time of year they propose this to
>happen. If they're expecting to attract Protour level talent when is
>there a month of the current schedule clear of conflicts with the big
>three grand tours? A window that still has interesting routes available
>with reasonable chances of good weather?
>
>Maybe I'm just feeling pessimistic today...
>
>Rick
>
>
>Curt Dewees wrote:
>
>
>
>>Holy mackerel! This would be HUGE!
>>
>>
>>
>>________________________________
>>
>>
>>From: Nolfi, Jennifer
>>Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:29 AM
>>To: Nolfi, Jennifer
>>Subject: Tour of America
>>
>>
>>
>>FYI
>>
>>Tour of America Could Become a Reality
>>
>>SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/26/2007
>>
>>Aqu, Inc. will be organizing a new international cycling event that
>>will be held in the United States: "The Tour of America." The event
>>will cover approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the
>>Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30
>>days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most
>>elite cycling teams in the world with a prize purse currently pegged
>>at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event.
>>
>>Until this venture by Aqu, Inc., all major international cycling races
>>were held outside the U.S. Smaller stage races are currently held
>>across the country and draw respectable spectator crowds and provide
>>significant economic impact to local communities. However, these races
>>are geographically located within a single state. The Tour of America
>>will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and
>>cities along the way.
>>
>>"This event will be the greatest international cycling event in the
>>world," said Aqu, Inc. President Frank Arokiasamy. "The Tour of
>>America will provide the largest prize pool to international cyclists
>>ever offered in history and will ensure quality competition from
>>beginning to end. We are excited to finally bring one of the world's
>>largest spectator sports to the United States through a major
>>international competition."
>>_______________________________________________
>>OBRA mailing list
>>obra@list.obra.org
>>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
>

Brian Engelen

My Google search for Aqu Inc showed no results. Hoax?

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Rick C Johnson
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 9:20 AM
To: Curt Dewees
Cc: OBRA
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Tour of America

Yea, it could be huge. But it could also be a fishing expedition to see
if there's even enough interest or support to make it happen. It doesn't
cost hardly anything to issue a press release and have a website.

I'll be real interested to see what time of year they propose this to
happen. If they're expecting to attract Protour level talent when is
there a month of the current schedule clear of conflicts with the big
three grand tours? A window that still has interesting routes available
with reasonable chances of good weather?

Maybe I'm just feeling pessimistic today...

Rick

Curt Dewees wrote:

>Holy mackerel! This would be HUGE!
>
>
>
>________________________________
>
>
>From: Nolfi, Jennifer
>Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:29 AM
>To: Nolfi, Jennifer
>Subject: Tour of America
>
>
>
>FYI
>
>Tour of America Could Become a Reality
>
>SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/26/2007
>
>Aqu, Inc. will be organizing a new international cycling event that
>will be held in the United States: "The Tour of America." The event
>will cover approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the
>Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30
>days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most
>elite cycling teams in the world with a prize purse currently pegged
>at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event.
>
>Until this venture by Aqu, Inc., all major international cycling races
>were held outside the U.S. Smaller stage races are currently held
>across the country and draw respectable spectator crowds and provide
>significant economic impact to local communities. However, these races
>are geographically located within a single state. The Tour of America
>will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and
>cities along the way.
>
>"This event will be the greatest international cycling event in the
>world," said Aqu, Inc. President Frank Arokiasamy. "The Tour of
>America will provide the largest prize pool to international cyclists
>ever offered in history and will ensure quality competition from
>beginning to end. We are excited to finally bring one of the world's
>largest spectator sports to the United States through a major
>international competition."
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Rick C Johnson

Yea, it could be huge. But it could also be a fishing expedition to see
if there's even enough interest or support to make it happen. It doesn't
cost hardly anything to issue a press release and have a website.

I'll be real interested to see what time of year they propose this to
happen. If they're expecting to attract Protour level talent when is
there a month of the current schedule clear of conflicts with the big
three grand tours? A window that still has interesting routes available
with reasonable chances of good weather?

Maybe I'm just feeling pessimistic today...

Rick

Curt Dewees wrote:

>Holy mackerel! This would be HUGE!
>
>
>
>________________________________
>
>
>From: Nolfi, Jennifer
>Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:29 AM
>To: Nolfi, Jennifer
>Subject: Tour of America
>
>
>
>FYI
>
>Tour of America Could Become a Reality
>
>SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/26/2007
>
>Aqu, Inc. will be organizing a new international cycling event that
>will be held in the United States: "The Tour of America." The event
>will cover approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the
>Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30
>days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most
>elite cycling teams in the world with a prize purse currently pegged
>at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event.
>
>Until this venture by Aqu, Inc., all major international cycling races
>were held outside the U.S. Smaller stage races are currently held
>across the country and draw respectable spectator crowds and provide
>significant economic impact to local communities. However, these races
>are geographically located within a single state. The Tour of America
>will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and
>cities along the way.
>
>"This event will be the greatest international cycling event in the
>world," said Aqu, Inc. President Frank Arokiasamy. "The Tour of
>America will provide the largest prize pool to international cyclists
>ever offered in history and will ensure quality competition from
>beginning to end. We are excited to finally bring one of the world's
>largest spectator sports to the United States through a major
>international competition."
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>

Curt Dewees

Holy mackerel! This would be HUGE!

________________________________

From: Nolfi, Jennifer
Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 8:29 AM
To: Nolfi, Jennifer
Subject: Tour of America

FYI

Tour of America Could Become a Reality

SportsOneSource Media Posted: 9/26/2007

Aqu, Inc. will be organizing a new international cycling event that
will be held in the United States: "The Tour of America." The event
will cover approximately 4,000 miles (more than 6,000 km) from the
Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, with 27 stages held during 30
days of competition. The event will invite twenty-five of the most
elite cycling teams in the world with a prize purse currently pegged
at $11 million, the largest purse of any international cycling event.

Until this venture by Aqu, Inc., all major international cycling races
were held outside the U.S. Smaller stage races are currently held
across the country and draw respectable spectator crowds and provide
significant economic impact to local communities. However, these races
are geographically located within a single state. The Tour of America
will span approximately 22 states and will cover hundreds of towns and
cities along the way.

"This event will be the greatest international cycling event in the
world," said Aqu, Inc. President Frank Arokiasamy. "The Tour of
America will provide the largest prize pool to international cyclists
ever offered in history and will ensure quality competition from
beginning to end. We are excited to finally bring one of the world's
largest spectator sports to the United States through a major
international competition."