Johnson: Tour of Elk Grove finished strong despite crash
The 2011 Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove finished strong despite a crash just before the final lap in the third stage of the men's professional race Sunday.
Observers initially speculated a pothole may have been to blame, but Mayor Craig Johnson said race officials who witnessed the crash said it was caused by a rider getting out of line — taking about 15 cyclists down with him. The pileup was on the straightaway near Elk Grove Boulevard and Victoria Lane #8220;within 50 feet of where all the officials sit near the finish line,#8221; Johnson said.
The weather turned about nine laps into the 15-lap race with driving cold rain pelting the riders who were doing roughly 35 mph.
Johnson said the downpour likely was not a factor in the crash as professional riders are used to such conditions.
#8220;These guys ride in rain. They ride in snow. At that point, it wasn't even raining hard,#8221; Johnson said. #8220;Accidents happen like that. It's very common. You never want a crash in any sport, but we all understand that it's part of racing.#8221;
In 2008, a crash in the final turn in the last mile of the 105-mile race took down three cyclists, including one of the race's top riders, Chris Horner, who suffered a broken collar bone.
Overall, though, the Tour came out a winner, with 1,190 cyclists participating, including 52 riders in the women's pro race and 123 riders in the internationally-sanctioned men's pro race, each involving three stages held over three days.
After some cyclists dropped out due to injuries, by the final stages 44 women and 99 men were left rising.
#8220;There is no question, we had a phenomenal year,#8221; Johnson said. #8220;We've had the biggest pro race field for men and women than we've ever had before.#8221; (For results and photos, visit tourofelkgrove.com/results_photos.cfm).
Race organizer,
Special Events Management, estimates there were 25,000 spectators over the three days. There's no way to verify that figure because it is not a ticketed event.
#8220;The block parties were hugely successful,#8221; Johnson reported. #8220;Saturday night was probably the biggest crowd we had for a block party,#8221; with several thousand people attending.
This year's Tour also drew 37 sponsors, the most ever. They included Suzuki (which was test-driving cars), McDonald's, Safeco Insurance, Waste Management and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.
Johnson said the seventh annual Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove, already planned for Aug. 4-6, 2012, will have a stronger and bigger field of professional cyclists.
#8220;We will fulfill our promise that we made to the women. We're going to have a higher purse and longer stages,#8221; Johnson said.
#8220;On the men's side, obviously, we're looking for that highest (Union Cycliste Internationale) ranking of 2.1.#8221;
TV times
The 2011 Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove will be broadcast on Comcast SportsNet local Channel 25 at the following times:
Ÿ 7 p.m. Aug. 27
Ÿ 5 p.m. Aug. 28
Ÿ 12:30 p.m. Aug. 30
Ÿ 12 p.m. Sept. 17