Clasica de Almeria 2012 facing financial distress
The sport of cycling has faced a lot of difficulties because of the worldwide financial crisis. Clasica de Almeria is yet another race struggling to hold its 27th edition because of the investment issues.
The famous one day event has a total budget of 110,000 Euros and the organisers are still lacking behind an amount of 30,000 Euros.
However, the race officials of Almeria have taken the initiative to prevent the race from being eliminated.
Clasica de Almeria is a one day race organised every year in March. It was started back in 1986 and achieved the status of 1.1 UCI Europe Tour in 2005.
It was initially organised as an amateur event and became fully professional in 1992.
Spanish cyclist, Miguel Angel Martinez was the very first winner, while Matteo Pelucchi of Italy succeeded at the Clasica de Almeria 2011. Italian rider Massimo Strazzer is the only cyclist who won the race twice in 1997 and 2002.
Jose Manuel Munoz, the race organiser, explained that the management is going through a difficult time.
He also disclosed that the lack of interest by the previous management is the main reason behind the difficulties faced today.
He told La Verdad, “It’s a complicated situation. In the face of this type of uncertainty, it’s difficult to move forwards. There are certain deadlines that have to be met and processes that have to be fulfilled”.
Manuel continued, “It’s no good getting the money that’s required three weeks after you need it. Once the calendar is set out, rules have to be published, contracts signed and presented to the UCI. But we’re not able to do this because we can’t finalise
them”.
Jose also explained that the current Almerian regional government is taking all the necessary measures to support the event and was not happy with the efforts made by the previous management.
He was disappointed by the fact that the promised funds were not released for the race, which is now creating many problems.
However, efforts made by the City’s mayor Luis Rogelio, Sports Councillor Angeles Martinez and the province’s president Gabriel Amat made it possible to hold the race in the season ahead.
Tags: