Tour of Virginia Joins National Racing Calendar

Great Opportunity for European Pro Development Teams

TROY , Virginia – The 2007 Tour of Virginia, formerly the Tour of Shenandoah, is pleased to announce that it has been selected as a National Racing Calendar event, and is set to run from April 24 th through the 29 th around the state of Virginia .

2007 brings more than a change of name and status, however. The Tour of Virginia will spill out of the Shenandoah Valley into substantially larger media market areas, offering competing teams the best of both worlds: great roads with little traffic; and substantial media markets.

Positioned as North America ’s answer to the Tour de L’Avenir, organizers are hopeful that the switch in the French race to national teams only in 2007 will create an opportunity for pro development teams to travel from Europe to add to the international flavor already created by the presence of crack Canadian squads.

Some new cities are expected to grace the route used by the Tour of Shenandoah, but the great majority will retain the best portions of previous years. The courses have drawn rich praise from riders over the years:

“If I could pick only one race, this would be the one I’d do.” (Brent Bookwalter, Grand Rapids , Mi., Priority Health)

“As close to a Belgium-style course as you’ll find anywhere Stateside” (Roman Kilun, Berkeley, Ca., Health Net)

“A secret cycling paradise.” (Christoph Herby, Charlottesville , Va. , RightAid)

“This is my favorite crit.” (Eddie Hilger, Delton, Mi., Priority Health)

In the past, the race has been a focus for many U25 teams, with 2006 winner, Brent Bookwalter, only 23 years old at the time of his win. In 2005 a young Roman Kilun scored his first major stage race win in Shenandoah. The Tour of Virginia will continue to emphasize the U-25 age group and showcase the nation’s future stars.

“Pro teams will, for the foreseeable future, be permitted to send older riders to this race, but the team leader must be U-25. The American cycling establishment, and the public, will thus have a unique opportunity to look at our best young talent and see for real what kind of leadership qualities they have at a relatively young age,“ said executive director, Matt Butterman.

The exact locations of the individual stages are still being finalized by executive director Matt Butterman as he works closely with the new Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine. A final list, as well as other information, will be published on www.tourofvirginia.com. Riders, fans, and journalists can sign up at this list to receive email updates about the Tour of Virginia.

About the Tour of Virginia

The Tour of Virginia is based in Troy , Virginia , and is run by executive director Matt Butterman. 2007 is the fifth year for the race, which is held on some of the nation’s most quiet and scenic roads. Formerly known as the Tour of Shenandoah, the race has always attracted young stars and as of 2006 formally announced itself as a race primarily for U-25 riders. The slogan for the race is: “Showcasing North America’s Rising Stars.”

An important mission of the Tour of Virginia is to inform the public about how to control the onset of diabetes and reduce the complications through exercise and a healthy lifestyle. To this end, the race will support Team Type 1, an all-diabetic racing team that will compete in the Tour of Virginia.

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