Organizers pleased with changes

July 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By JOHN BASSETTI

ELLSWORTH

This year’s opening race for the Tour of the Valley was increased in length and the Friday schedule was reduced to include just one event — a time trial.

“We decided to do just a time trial because it was a very busy day,” Tour of the Valley co-director Erin Quinlan said of the opening day in July, 2009.

“I think cyclists like to come in, do their time trial and then kind of relax. We had such huge support from Mastropietro that they wanted to support it again this year. So, in order to get the real ambience of the winery, the one-race schedule was best.”

Friday’s arrangement started near Mastropietro Winery at 5 p.m. and ended about 7:25, but no second race followed as was the case last summer.

“We didn’t do the awards ceremony after the time trial last year, so it allows us to do that in a nice, calm environment. People can eat beforehand, come to the time trial, then stay around afterwards. By not having a criterium a few hours after the time trial, racers don’t have to cram in a meal.”

The winery setting as a more lasting part of the race made sense.

Sunday’s community ride in downtown Youngstown was another change to the TOTV.

“People wanted to be a part of it without the racing. So we wanted to include people who didn’t want to race, but like to ride their bikes for fun.”

Today’s TOTV event will be a road race in Columbiana.

A criterium on Sunday will be that day’s main event.

Slight changes were also made for the criterium.

“We changed some streets along the course,” Qunilan said. “It will start in the same place [Federal Plaza], but go past the courthouse and not along Commerce Street.

The Tour of the Valley has been designated by USA Cycling as a Permit D event because of its payout.

“Basically, it goes by payout,” Quinlan said of the event’s $20,000 overall cash prize list. The permit class is determined because the Tour of the Valley’s daily purse of $2,000 or less.

“Anything above would be in the next-highest category,” Quinlan said.

For the Pro 1-2 men, purse amounts to be paid over the three days are: $1500, $1900 and $1900.

“That divvied up among 15 spots for the time trial and 19 spots for the road race and 19 for the criterium.