Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 17, 1994 TAG: 9408170074
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: GREENSBORO, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
But in the international world of cycling, bad is good and good means a spot on the route of the Tour DuPont.
The premiere cycling event in the United States revealed its 1995 course Tuesday, and the Roanoke Valley receiving a time trial after putting together a brutal route in its debut this year that continues to keep cyclists buzzing.
Also included for the third straight year was Blacksburg, which will play host to the finish of the Tour's second-longest stage. New spots for 1995 include Galax, Charlotte, N.C., Greenville, S.C., and North Wilkesboro, N.C.
``The Roanoke Valley time trial has earned a reputation around the world,'' said Mike Plant, president of Medalist Sports Inc., the Richmond-based company that organizes the 1,050-mile event scheduled for April 26-May 7 - one week earlier than this year's race.
``Many of the riders said it was the hardest, most challenging time trials they had ever taken part in,'' Plant said.
The Tour will begin with its annual 3-mile prologue in Wilmington, Del., followed on April 27 by the 70-mile Stage 1 race from Dover, Del., to Wilmington.
The course then bypasses Maryland, a state included in all six previous editions of the Tour DuPont, and jumps to Fredericksburg on April 28 for Stage 2, a 115-mile road race to Richmond. Stage 3 on April 29 starts in Richmond and ends 131 rolling miles later in Lynchburg.
The Roanoke Valley will play host to Stage 5 on Monday, May 1, the day after Stage 4, a 138-mile race from Lynchburg to Blacksburg. The stages were reversed from this year's order when the time trial was held before the mountainous trip to Blacksburg.
Cyclist Ron Kiefel, a nine-year pro who is one of three cyclists who have competed in all six Tours, described the change as subtle but important.
``It gives the riders a chance to get their `climbing legs' [before the time trial],'' Kiefel said. ``Also, if you're a mountain specialist, it gives you the opportunity to open up a cushion so you have some time to play with in the time trial.''
Plant speculated that the valley's route will remain unchanged for the time trial - a 23-mile stage in which cyclists are released individually at intervals and race strictly against the clock - although exact race routes won't be made final for another three to four months.
This year's course began at the Salem Civic Center, made two severe climbs over Twelve O'Clock Knob and Mount Chestnut before winding through southwest Roanoke County and finishing on the market in downtown Roanoke.
``All we have to do is find ways now to build on that [success] and reputation,'' Plant said. ``[The ascents] are athletically challenging and the descents are equally as challenging.''
Kiefel said the valley's course required precise handling skills as well as strength.
``The first ascent seems to go on forever,'' he said. ``And the descents are tough, very European-like. It requires a lot of talent and skills.''
After spending the night in Roanoke, cyclists will be transferred by team vehicles to Galax for the May 2 start of Stage 6 - the longest stage of the race at 140 miles - which finishes in Charlotte.
Galax replaced Wytheville, which was host for the start of Stage 7 this year, which ended in Beech Mountain, N.C. Plant said the change was for logistical purposes: Wytheville to Charlotte would be too long a race.
``It's a huge disappointment for me personally not to have Wytheville included,'' Plant said. ``There wasn't one person who was not impressed with the support and people that turned out there this year. Unfortunately, for 1995 we had to ask them to sit idle.''
Stage 7 on May 3 marks the Tour's inaugural venture into South Carolina. Cyclists will face rolling terrain over about 125 miles from Charlotte to Greenville.
Stages 8 and 9 on May 4 and 5 are mountain stages that will severely test the riders' climbing capabilities. Stage 8 will start in Greenville and conclude approximately 125 miles later in Asheville, N.C. Stage 9 is about 124 miles from Asheville to Beech Mountain.
Stage 10 on May 6 is a 100-mile rolling route from North Wilkesboro to the Piedmont Triad area. The finish most likely will take place in Winston-Salem, High Point or Kernersville.
For the third straight year the Piedmont Triad will play host to the conclusion of the Tour - Stage 11, an estimated 20-mile time trial, on May 7.
NOTES: More than 40 cities made formal proposals to Medalist for spots on this year's route. ... The Tour has received an upgrade to a 2.2 rating by the international sanctioning body of cycling, allowing two additional teams (18 total) to be invited in 1995. ... Plant is expecting to draw Europe's top teams next year, in part because of a scheduling change. The Tour of Spain, traditionally a major preparation race for the Tour de France, will move to September next season. ... The 1995 Tour DuPont's minimum purse will be $250,000, with $50,000 to the overall individual winner.
by CNB