(Photo: J.Maus/BikePortland)
The people behind an “international professional cycling event” in downtown Portland say they’ve gotten green lights from the international and national sport cycling organizations to host the “Grand Prix of Portland” here next summer.
Veteran Oregonian sportswriter Mike Tokito has the story:
The race would cover about 115 miles, with a one-day format that would be run like a stage of the Tour de France.
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“All the difficult things are done,” said Ed Ellis, a veteran sports organizer who is helping to put the event together. “We got the international federation to bless us, we’ve got the city on board.”
Union Cycliste Intertionale (commonly called UCI), which governs cycling worldwide, has placed the race on its 2015 calendar, the event has the blessing of USA Cycling, and the city of Portland has issued a letter of intent to allow the race to happen, Ellis said.
Organizers expect some of the top teams in the world to compete, include many who compete in the Tour de France. The course would run about 10 miles starting at the waterfront and go into the West Hills and back, with riders covering it 10 times.
Sounds like fun. We’ve reached out to Ellis for more information. In the meantime, you can get more information from the event’s Facebook page.
Thanks for reading.
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So, is this an actual World Tour race, or just UCI sanctioned? Very cool either way.
The west hills could be the stuff of a classic course; I’d think that the only obstacle would be sufficiently tough traffic control.
Dave, it’s an international event, not an OBRA race. Traffic control will not be a problem. If they can close the roads to traffic for the PDX Marathon, the Bridge Pedal etc without problems, I’d say it’s a safe bet the roads can be closed for an international cycling event using a 10mile loop.
In February. At night. For some spice.
Only if there’s a race category for bagpiping unicyclers.
GP Portland needs to follow the lions. Five laps with Brynwood and College.
Yowza; can you say “instant classic?”
naked UCI ride perhaps? only in Portland
So happy about this. I’ve been wanting this for years. Thanks for the news, and thanks to whoever is making it happen!
The GP of Portland is now on the UCI calendar for August 29, 2015 http://www.uci.ch/road/calendar/detail#date=20150801&view=list&categ=77&country=0&classc=0