November 20, 2010 (Val d’Or, QC) – The northern Quebec town of Val d’Or is throwing in the towel after hosting the Tour cycliste de l’Abitibi for 12 years. Suzanne Fortin, the event’s executive Vice-president explains that ‘exhaustion of volunteers’ was one of the reasons why Val d’Or said ‘no’ to hosting this prestigious international stage race in 2011. The event began in 1969 and has been held in Val d’Or since 1999, but organizers are hoping that this “Tour de France for juniors” will now alternate between three local towns: Amos, Rouyn-Noranda, and Val d’Or.

Organizers are also seeking $100,000 to ensure the viability of the 2011 edition and asking local municipalities to pick up $75,000 of that amount. Fortin mentioned that the towns’ financial contribution also extends to repairing local road surfaces “that are damaged by our fierce winters here.” She indicated that about 50 volunteers had to work for a full week “without a break” each year in July during the seven-stage race.

Despite having no host town for the 2011 edition, the event remains on the UCI calendar. The nearby town of Rouyn-Noranda is deliberating whether to become involved in the event and a decision on this is expected by mid-December. Mayor Mario Provencher called the Tour de l’Abitibi question ‘a big decision to make’ because of the recurring expenses every year according to Radio Canada (CBC).

Fortin indicated that should Rouyn-Noranda’s response be positive, the 2011 edition might be held in another town. “We just don’t want one town to carry the whole financial burden of an event that benefits the entire region.” She also described the Tour as ‘a jewel’.

Tour de l’Abitibi organizers indicated in August that the event was at ‘a fork in the road’ and that major decisions had to be made going forward. Event organizers were disappointed by Val d’Or’s decision not to host the 2011 edition, but remain optimistic that a solution will be found. The Tour de l’Abitibi is apparently in excellent financial health.

More than 100 junior male riders competed in the 2010 edition that was won by Lachlan Morton (Aus) Team Holowesko Partners. According to the event website, “Three champions of the Tour de l’Abitibi, who have moved on to become world-class senior cyclists: Michaël Zanoli (Holland), Laurent Jalabert (France) and Alex Steida (Canada), declared that Tour de l’Abitibi was ‘the biggest win’ of their careers.” Canada’s most acclaimed rider, Steve Bauer of Tour de France yellow jersey fame, and former top American pro Andrew Hampsten who won the Giro d’Italia in 1988, also used the Tour de l’Abitibi as a springboard to launch their pro careers.