Plans for cycling race grind to halt

Ahhh... Our beloved Supervisors have done it again! Please add this one to your 'why I won't vote progressive in the next election' list.

From today's SF Gate, "The organizer of the annual San Francisco Grand Prix, a pro race that attracted some of the world's best cyclists, said in a written statement Sunday that it will cancel next year's race because of a raucous dispute with City Hall over who should pay for police and other city services required for the event."

Basically, the city couldn't resolve a billing miscommunication last year, causing the organizers to not be properly billed, then someone decided to report (in the press) that the organizers hadn't paid their bills. Really bad form, guys.

A few 'Supes also decided to make this a political issue (namely Daly and Peskin) in an effort to win back some of their fading approval ratings (from even their prized constituents).

""Sadly, it's a no-win situation, and we simply cannot go forward," said David Chauner, director of San Francisco Cycling LLC, which founded and runs the annual race. The 108-mile race was regarded as one of the country's most challenging because of its length and the city's steep hills. It wound through the heart of the city and drew hundreds of thousands of spectators and more than 100 world-class athletes. Lance Armstrong, seven-time winner of the Tour de France, participated several times in the race before he retired."

"Both San Francisco Cycling and Newsom's office said the company shouldn't be faulted for not paying sooner because the city's Department of Public Works only mailed the 2004 bill this month. Supervisor Aaron Peskin contends race organizers should have paid a preliminary bill from the Police Department a year ago for the full cost of the 2004 security and then sought a partial refund from the city later."

So, Peskin expects someone to pay for the city's mistakes then ask for a 'refund'? You've got to be kidding me.

I am a cyclist who has seen professional events all over Europe, this was the closest the USA has come to the energy and feel of a full-on European event. Even the Euros felt at home here. And just like that, Peskin and Daly throw a fit, scare potential sponsors away, and cause the organizers to cancel the event.

"Still, Peskin said he thought San Francisco Cycling scrubbed the event because it was having trouble lining up the necessary funding, not because of anything to do with City Hall. Even San Francisco Cycling said it had lost money on previous races. Peskin also said that San Francisco will host a new bike race in February -- part of the 700-mile Tour of California. Tour organizer AEG has promised to reimburse the city for the entire cost of policing the event, Peskin said."

"The net is that San Francisco will be just as well off,'' he said.

I guess that's because he never did his homework or never bothered to ask. He just ran around yelling to make himself heard. And no, San Francisco will not be just as well off. The Tour of California is a stage race that begins in San Francisco and finishes in Los Angeles, but will not attract nearly the crowds or the economic revenue for our city that the Grand Prix did.

It's a damn shame.

For an enthusiast publication's coverage of the cancellation, check out VeloNews.