Several teams are now planning bicycle races to fill the void left by the sudden collapse last week of RedRoseRaces.com.
Under the leadership of the Pennsylvania Cycling Association, 24 promoters joined on a conference call Tuesday to discuss the situation and try to fill the holes left in the racing calendar left after RedRoseRaces cancelled the 16 events left on its 2008 schedule.
According to an account of the conference call posted on the local Shirk’s team website, team leaders from Chester County Velo’s Iron Hill team, Allentown’s Gotham Cyclists and Human Zoom, from the Philadelphia area, are working on plans for races in Chester, Allentown and possibly Reading.
Local individuals in Lancaster County are also discussing reviving some races here. Along with the Christiana Criterium, being revived by Dave Felpel on Aug. 10, a Christiana road race may also be held on Aug. 9. Along with a time trial, the races made up the former RedRoseRaces’ Tour de Christiana.
There is also some discussion of reviving the Grandview Heights criterium. That race was slated to be held Saturday, July 26, on the former RedRoseRaces’ calendar.
David Butterworth, the controlling partner of RedRoseRaces.com who pulled the plug on the organization, will hold three races under his Pro-Am Cycling banner. Those races will not have categories for upper-level riders - nothing above Cat. 4 - and no day-of registration or cash prizes.
The next race, unaffected by the RedRoseRaces situation, is this Sunday’s Cargas Criterium. That race is being held by the Spinners Cycling Team in the Greenfield Corporate Center. Online registration for the race is available through Friday.
