ROCHESTER – The inaugural 2009 UCI 2.2 Tour de New York will explode onto the international cycling scene and showcase the beautiful Western New York and Finger Lakes Regions of upstate New York from August 8th through August 13th. The six-day stage race begins with the Rochester Twilight Criterium on Saturday, August 8th, a 10-mile Individual Time Trial on August 9th and the tour will continue through August 13th with three road races and one circuit race.

The original event began in 2004 as the Saturn Rochester Twilight Criterium and has experienced exponential growth each year in all areas including spectator attendance and economic impact. “2008’s 3-day Rochester Omnium was designed specifically as a platform to introduce the Tour de New York. The planning has been in the works for several years and we’re incredibly excited to launch the 6-day Tour,” said Scott Page, the event’s Executive Director. Page continued, “The long term plan for the Tour de New York is to explore different areas of New York State each year for a portion of the event”.

Professional cyclists, including Olympic, World and National Champions, will compete in the following stages of the Tour de New York:

Rochester Twilight Criterium - Saturday, August 8th
Individual Time Trial – Sunday, August 9th
Genesee Valley Park Road Race - Monday, August 10th
Ellicottville Circuit Race - Tuesday, August 11th
Warsaw Road Race - Wednesday August 12th
Pittsford Road Race - Thursday, August 13th