Tour Down Under 2008: Worthy of Pro Tour Status?

Maybe a dingo ate your publicity and recognition.....

The Pro Tour calander is kicking off as we speak in Australia, and the question must be asked: does anyone outside of Australia care? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the season has started, but it seems as though the team directors forgot. Looking at the talent coming to Australia for the 10th edition leaves one underwhelmed. Outside of the Australians at the event, Stuey O'Grady, Matt Lloyd [new Australian National Champ], Robbie McEwin, Simon Gerrans [youngest rider to start the Tour de France in 2007], Mark Renshaw, Graeme Brown, Allan Davis, Luc Roberts and Bernard Eisel [registered as a Austrian rider, but come on, he's Australian. Just talk to him, you'll see.], who else is there?

Because it takes place soooo early in the season, the Tour Down Under is being ducked by cycling's most powerful riders. While it's true that each Pro Tour team is required to field a team, there is nowhere in the rule book where it says you have to field a competitive team. A close look at the rosters reveals that unless a team is Australian-heavy, it doesn't look too impressive . . . at least not on paper.

Considering the above, flash back eight months to May, where UCI boss Pat McQuaid first broached the subject of a Pro Tour race outside of Europe. At the time he told the press that he was considering either the Tour Down Under or the Tour of California to be the first ever host of a Pro Tour race outside of Europe. In the end of course he chose the Tour Down Under. But was McQuaid's choice the one the cyclists would have made if they were consulted? Probably not.

McQuaid doesn't always see eye to eye with today's pro riders

Already "Tornado" Tom Boonen AND Paolo Bettini are confirmed for the 2008 Tour of California. 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will be there, as will Levi Leipheimer, the defending 2007 Tour of California champ. No doubt Riccardo Ricco will represent Saunier Duvall, while CSC, like last year, will send World Time Trial champion Fabien Cancellera, two-time Tour of Germany and Criterium International champ Jens Voigt and US stalwart Bobby Julich. "Big George" will fly the flag for Team High Road and the Tour de France Green Jersey winning Norwegian Thor Hushovd will no doubt return again for Credit Agricole. Juan Antonia Flecha (he of the arrow shooting gesture from his TDF stage win) will probably show for Rabobank ahead of the northern classics, while Oscar Friere will be riding in preperation for "La Primavera" in Italy.

Perhaps after watching the stellar line up of talent that the Tour of California will bring to America for the third straight year, Pat McQuaid will do what he should have done eight months ago: grant the Tour of California Pro Tour status.

Now that's racing! For great weather and breath taking views, the Tour of California is head and shoulders above the Tour Down Under.