Tour de Nez, 2008: Revitalized Cycling Event In The High Sierras

By JAMES RAIA
www.byjamesraia.com

Just like in other economic worlds, times are tough in cycling. Dropped sponsorships, canceled races and international governing body in fighting are the norm.

But there are encouraging signs, too. Three international teams, including the two United States-based squads heading for the Tour de France, have new, lucrative titles sponsorships. Likewise, young domestic events like the Tour of Utah and the new Tour of Colorado have promise.

And on the regional level, a teen-aged race that appeared in jeopardy has experienced a resurgence as a competitive event combined with an itinerary billed as a “festival of cycling.”

The 16th annual Tour de Nez, held June 17-22, was expanded from last year’s minimalist approach of two criteriums into a five-stage race for pro men, and a new pro and amateur women’s criterium. Add age-group amateur events, demonstrations, local favorites like the 10th annual “Clunker Classic” parades, a century ride and the near-week of cycling extended from Reno to Truckee’s ski and recreation resort, Northstar.

The event’s new infusion of pro events is the direct result of race founder Tim Healion’s ability to negotiate. He signed a three-year sponsorship with Northstar. And at the last-minute, a one-year sponsorship with Grand Sierra Resort, the monolithic hamlet on the border of Reno and Sparks, was finalized.

As a result, the Tour de Nez, which began as a masters race coordinated out of Healion’s former eclectic café, Deux Gros Nez (Two Big Noses) in downtown Reno, has found a niche time frame between the Tour of Italy and Tour de France as well as numerous surrounded by several regional domestic races.

The new Tour de Nez also provides the West Coast with two distinct cycling festivals, the Sea Otter Classic in April on the Monterey Peninsula, and the revitalized Nevada-California event now featuring more than a $40,000 purse.

Healion’s 16th race is now about two years removed from its coffee shop days. But a lot of memorabilia remains on the walls of the race headquarters in a funky industrial park “race office” on the outskirts of Reno.

The warehouse, which includes Healion’s cramped loft-style office, showcase’s the race owner’s passion for cyc
ling. Posters of previous race editions line the walls, mixed in with signed jerseys from many cycling stars of yesteryear and various other cycling keepsakes.

Healion’s immersion in the sport and its lifestyle (he enthusiastically offers visitors an espresso from a favorite office machine) has taken the Tour de Nez to its current status.

“It’s a great event, but it comes at a time after a big block of racing when a lot racers are tired,” said Steve Hegg, the 1984 Olympic individual pursuit gold medalist and director of the domestic team, Successful Living. “So it’s not getting the best guys yet. It’s a tough time of the year. September might be good.”

Healion is as aware of the cycling calendar as anyone. He’s positioned the Tour de Nez in June and while not opposed to different dates, negotiating different dates is no easy task.

“I’m not really sure we’re really fit,” he said. “This year came together very quickly and we’ll see what happens from here. But once you get your spot on the calendar, it’s hard to give it up or secure another slot.”

This year’s event had its highlights but also innovation highlighted by “growing pains.” On Tuesday night (June 17) the day before competition began, an athlete presentation and pre-race media conference was held for the first time. The Grand Sierra Resort theatre was a great venue and race announcer Dave Towle kept the flow at high speed, introducing riders without script but to a near-empty theater.

Racing began the following evening with a 75-minute criterium in the resort’s parking lot, following by two stages each for men in Northstar and Truckee as well as the new women’s race at Northstar.

Throughout its tenure, the Tour de Nez has attracted an ever-changing field of pros. Peloton veterans Mike Sayers (BMC), who Healion calls the best team rider on the domestic circuit during the past 15 years, to six-time Tour de Nez to competitor Alex Candelario (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medifast), the 2007 overall titlist, were prominent this year, with a host of younger riders on fledgling teams.

Aaron Olson (Bissell), the former ProTour rider joined the race’s overall titlist list with his 13-second victory over Andrew Bajadali (Kelly Benefit Strategies/Medias) and a 17-second advantage over Scott Nydam (BMC).

For more information about the Tour de Nez, visit: www.tourdenez.com

To read more of James Raia's articles, visit: www.byjamesraia.com