Le Tour des Pyrénées, a UCI 2.2 stage race due to take place between 3rd and 7th of August 2011, has been canceled due to the withdrawal of the sponsor, who is citing economic reasons. France has not been as badly affected by the economic crisis as other countries but many companies are feeling the pain and sport sponsorship is taking a hit. The race has been scheduled to take place again on 31st July to 4th August 2012. I have gone up the Tourmalet to see this race in previous years, it was always enjoyable to see the top amature teams in Midi Pyrénées pitted against pro teams and national teams from around Europe. Many of the young riders who take part in the race go on to bigger and better things, it is good to watch as they all look to be suffering, unlike the Tour de France where it just look too easy for many of the riders. Hopefully it will be back next year.
Two young pros from Spain and Belgium suffer on Col du Tourmalet in the 2009, Tour des Pyrénées.
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