Date Posted:23:53:46 03/20/03 Thu Author:Vaughn Author Host/IP: 69.3.182.118 Subject: Re: Whoa In reply to:
Mark
's message, "Re: Cyclo-crossing issues...your views?" on 09:47:17 03/09/03 Sun
Hi Mark, great analysis on your part.
American Classics, one day races? Hmm think the Saturn Classic is one, but this year it lost it's sponsor. I think the San Francisco GP and Philly may be the only American Classics in the sense of comparison to the European Classics.
Unfortunately what the USA lacks is the point to point races similar to the PR, Milan San Remo type races.
Years ago the Chicago to Elgin race may have fit that bill, but it too is gone.
I am confident and hopeful in the USA that the circuit and criterium mold will break this year or next and we will have more city to city, point to point races that will compare to the great races in Europe.
I think one of the great things about the tradition in Europe of the Classics is that in many cases the course is run over the same ground and roads (or at least similar) so we as fans can compare riders from different generations... like Coppi in Milan San Remo to Cipo last year.
With I think twenty Div III teams in the USA I think we are slowly growing hopefully this growth will be extended to large one day Pro classics Creation in the future.
Are you ready for the Paris Roubaix race Mark?
Cheers,
V
