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Great news on the sponsorship front for some major races in the United States.

Pepsi sponsorship saves Tour of Battenkill

The United States of America was close to losing the UCI-sanctioned Tour of Battenkill when its former sponsor pulled its funding two months ago, but organizer Dieter Drake has found a replacement in PepsiCo that will allow the event to continue as scheduled in Cambridge, New York on April 18.

“I approached them back in January after we lost our presenting sponsor from last year during the Christmas holiday," Drake said. "With some persistence, they were receptive to talking about it. Selling a bicycle race is not an easy task but with a large, multi-billion dollar company like Pepsi it worked out.”

Without a replacement for previous sponsor, Malta-based GlobalFoundaries, Drake would have been forced to cancel the UCI professional men’s race, and the Pro/Am events held the weekend prior.

via Pepsi Sponsorship Saves Tour Of Battenkill | Cyclingnews.com.

And in an event that’s a bit closer to my heart, it looks like Zions Bank is returning as presenting sponsor of the Tour, with an expanded commitment to the race.

Tour of Utah steaming ahead

In what is perhaps a sign that the economy is improving, several major races have announced recently that they had secured major sponsors and are confidently approaching their scheduled launch.

The latest is the Tour of Utah, whose organizers announced Monday that all their 2009 sponsors are continuing this year, and that the race is adding a new title sponsor, Zions Bank.

The event, to be held August 17-22,will include a prologue and five stages, concluding with its toughest stage, the Park City to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

The other stages include the University of Utah Health Care Ogden to Research Park road race, the Heiden Davidson Orthopedics criterium in downtown Park City, a time trial at Miller Motorsports Park sponsored by teamgive.org, and the XANGO Thanksgiving Point to Top of Mt. Nebo road race. Race route details will be announced soon.

via VeloNews.com – Tour of Utah steaming ahead.

As the VeloNews article notes, news like this really can be viewed as a sign that the economy is starting to improve, as advertising budgets start to open up again and businesses start to look for less traditional avenues for exposure.

Hopefully, this means not only the return of some other major races (like the Tour of Georgia), but also more money for teams and riders.

Of course, I also hope it means more money for employees of corporations as well. It sure would be nice to get a raise this year, since my salary has been frozen since December 2007 while my cost-of-living has increased over the few years (and rather abruptly so this past week).

Burke Swindlehurst racing at Callville Bay Classic. Photo copyright © Brian Hodes/VeloImages, linked from VeloNews.com

After a long career on the road, facing all the ups and downs that come with riding for a professional cycling team, Burke Swindlehurst has now entered a new phase … as a privateer both on the road and dirt; but a privateer with a cause, riding for TeamGive, an organization which works to increase awareness of, and raise funds for, research, treatment, and support of those suffering neurological disease, including Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) and similar debilitating diseases. He debuted his new one man “team” at the Callville Bay Classic, on the shores of Lake Mead, outside Las Vegas, Nevada.

Burke is a perfect ambassador to represent TeamGive. He is one of Utah’s most widely recognized professional cyclists; he truly loves his profession; and in my experience, unlike many professional athletes, he is incredibly friendly and humble.

Not only did he know who I was before I ever actually met him (and I’m just a cycling fan with a keyboard), and has never failed to say “hi” when I’ve seen him out on the road (generally going in the opposite direction and/or much faster than I am), but he has incredible taste in music. As much as he loves cycling, I think he may love music even more.

Yeah, I sound like a fanboy, but there’s nothing wrong with that. I can honestly say that Burke is one of the coolest people I know.

I am truly looking forward to following his results this year, cheering him on to the stage win at Snowbird during this year’s Tour of Utah, and being able to raise a glass and toast him for a job well done at the end of the season.

View Ascent activity on 20-Feb-10 at 12:00PM in a larger map

The sun was out, the sky was blue, it was beautiful, and so is my bike … but it was flippin’ cold out there today. Brr. Felt good to turn the legs over … ski day tomorrow, I think, unless the weather is gorgeous down here again, in which case I may have to make some more circles.

View Ascent activity on 14-Feb-10 at 01:38PM in a larger map

Caught a bit of a cold, but the weather is absolutely gorgeous out today … I couldn’t allow myself to waste the day on the couch; so out for an easy 15 miles through Holladay, Murray, and Millcreek. Legs were a little heavy, lungs were a bit tight, but ultimately, it felt good to get out there.

In yet another step down the road to mediocrity, the International Olympic Committee elects UCI President Pat McQuaid as a member. This is a man who, instead of working to protect the status of one of the premier cycling disciplines (the individual pursuit) as an Olympic event, instead opts to eliminate it in favor of an omnium format which is popular with no one.

About the only thing worse would be if someone from USA Cycling was elected. Then it would would just be a matter of time before Olympic athletes started getting participation certificates!

UCI President Pat McQuaid was elected today as a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The 60-year-old Dubliner was one of six candidates nominated for membership at the 122nd IOC session, held prior to the start of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

“I am deeply honoured to be elected as one of the IOC members and to represent and promote the interests of the IOC and Olympic Movement, in Ireland and elsewhere throughout the world," McQuaid said after he joined the other 114 members.

“I look forward to working with its President, Jacques Rogge and its members and to building upon the productive relations that I have already established with the IOC through my role as President of the UCI.”

via McQuaid Elected As Member Of IOC | Cyclingnews.com.

View Ascent activity on 07-Feb-10 at 02:20PM in a larger map

Short ride before the Stupor Bowl … lungs in terrible shape today; even with the inhaler, I could barely breathe throughout much of the ride. I think the average (158) and max HR (177) rates today will corroborate.

On the other hand, it’s another ride in my legs; getting that early start on the 2010 season.

View Ascent activity on 30-Jan-10 at 02:01PM in a larger map

Ride #2 for the year, and it’s obvious that whatever fitness I gained on my trip to Arizona over Christmas is now gone. With an AvgHR over 160, peaking out at 179, I was definitely struggling on anything even remotely resembling a climb … not to mention the actual climbs.

Funny thing, though … even though my pulse was really high throughout the entire ride, on the flats I felt like I was cruising easy. So maybe I’m not in quite as bad shape as I think, and it’s the air that’s causing the problems.

Tomorrow should be a ski day; at least that’s the current plan. The rest of today will be spent relaxing, doing laundry, and watching Steven Soderbergh’s Che. I watched the first part, which covers the Cuban Revolution, a couple days ago … watched a documentary on the making of the movie this morning, and am now watching the second part, covering the Bolivian years. Excellent movie. Highly recommended.