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This Wheel's on Fire
Pro cycling event slated
for downtown New Haven, Waterbury
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Business New Haven
4/28/2003
By: BNH
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Notwithstanding the developing funding controversy that clouds its future, the Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau sped forward by launching a new sports commission April 15 at Hot Tomato's restaurant in downtown New Haven.
Karolyn Kirchgesler, executive director of the New Haven CVB, cited the diversity of the region's sports venues and the willingness of sports participants to move around to venues for making the greater New Haven region attractive to sporting event promoters.
“During 2001-02, amateur events accounted for nearly 87 percent of the new business generated by GNHCVB sales staff,” Kirchgesler reported. “The success with the sports market has sparked the formation of the Greater New Haven Sports Commission.”
Richard Mathews of TXP Sports, a Westport-based sports marketing firm, told the gathering that, “The Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament set the bar very high for sports events in New Haven. The whole buzz [today] is quality of place. Sports and recreation and culture stand side by side now.”
Mayor John DeStefano Jr. agreed, telling the assembled, “I think of downtown as a big stage.”
On May 16, that stage will be filled by hundreds of professional cyclists participating in the inaugural running of the Tour of Connecticut. Inspired by the Tour de France, the event is expected to attract riders from across the globe.
Explained race organizer John Eustice: “This race will be run on a spectacular, half-mile circuit around the Green in New Haven. We've come up with a great format for the pro men, who will be split into two heats, with each heat competing over a 25-mile distance around the Green. The winner of the fastest heat will then be awarded the first yellow jersey of the Tour of Connecticut and the winner of the second heat will be awarded the green sprinter's jersey.” The next day, May 17, the Tour of Connecticut will shift to downtown Waterbury and then move on to the Housatonic Valley for the final leg on May 18. The race activities will also include the Saturn Women Classic on May 18, featuring cyclists riding from New Milford to Danbury.
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