Officials at the Pro Cycling Tour, the promoters of the TD Philadelphia International Cycling Championship race, reported Thursday that people are reaching for their wallets to save the June 7 professional race.
PCT reported Tuesday that the 25-year-old race - the largest one-day bicycle race in the nation - would be cancelled unless they found an additional $500,000 needed to stage the $1.7 million race. The announcement came after PCT had scrapped plans for races in Reading and Allentown which have preceded the Philadelphia race in the annual Pennsylvania Triple Crown of Cycling. Lancaster was previously home of the first of the races, which was moved to Allentown two years ago.
Individual race supporters have stepped up to purchase VIP tickets to the spectator area near the finish line. The tickets cost between $67.50 and $100. This week, more than $50,000 in tickets have been sold. Race supporters may also make donations or buy posters or stickers on the Website www.EmbraceTheRace.ticketleap.com.
