Story posted Thursday, June 11, 2009
Schaumburg Taking Break From Tour of EG
Lack of Revenue Forces Village Off Map For This Year's Elk Grove Bike Event
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Though the fourth annual Tour of Elk Grove cycling competition continues to grow in many ways, geographically it will be a bit less expansive this year.
Elk Grove's neighbor to the west, Schaumburg, a major partner in last year's Tour, has pulled out of this year's event forcing the 2009 road race to stay within Elk Grove's village limits.
Last year riders completed an eight-mile loop on the streets of Schaumburg and wound through small parts of Roselle, Itasca and Wood Dale before returning to the finish line in Elk Grove Village.
Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said his community's participation in last year's tour cost the village $100,000.
With a budget shortfall of several million dollars this year caused by Schaumburg's heavy reliance on sales tax revenue and the slumping economy, Larson said there was no way his village could afford to take part this year.
Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said the decision for Schaumburg to pull out was "mutual" and said Elk Grove spent $38,000 bringing the Tour outside the village's borders last year.
Elk Grove Village will not save that entire $38,000 by keeping the road race entirely in village limits, as there will be additional expenses related to expanded use of village streets, Johnson said.
Johnson and Larson both said the Tour was well received in Schaumburg. Larson said he would seriously consider rejoining the Tour in future years if the economy rebounds.
The Tour of Elk Grove is ranked as the one of the top professional cycling events in the world and the top race of its kind in the United States. The tour includes three days of racing with $200,000 in prize money attracting competitors from around the world.
In addition to the professional races there are amateur races, music and a two-day block party.
The 2009 Tour is scheduled to start on Friday, July 31 and run through Sunday, Aug. 2.
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