Giro di Sardegna cancelled

Just days after it was announced that preparations for the 2012 Holland Ladies' Tour have been suspended while the organisation that runs it seeks new sponsorship, their counterparts at the Giro di Sardegna have revealed that they too are experiencing difficulties and have been forced to cancel this year's edition which was due to start on February the 21st.

The race began in 1958 and was held annually, except for 1979 and 1981, until 1983. It was then not held from 1984 to 1996 when it returned for two editions before vanishing again until 2009. Among others, it has been won by Rik Van Looy, Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil and Roger De Vlaeminck.

Rather than lacking commercial sponsorship, organisers blame local government - stating that they have yet to be paid by towns wishing to host starts and finishes in the race and are still owed money from previous editions, leading to a 150,000 euro hole in the budget.

Holland Ladies' Tour suspended

Just when we think things are looking up for women's cycling, a new disaster - the organisation behind one of the sport's premier events, the Holland Ladies' Tour, has announced that it has been forced to temporarily suspend preparations for the 2012 edition due to lack of sponsorship.

Chairman of the organisation Marten de Lange says, "We need a miracle for the race to go ahead at this late stage, but we will continue to look for one. However, the towns that would have been hosting stages need to be aware that there are uncertainties."

It is understood that a main sponsor has pulled out and several smaller firms have also withdrawn their support from the race, which was due to start on the 4th of September and would have provided a rehearsal for the 2012 World Championships. Women's cycling has had a tough time of it in recent years with many races being brought to a halt for the same reason, among them some of the sport's greatest events such as the Women's Tour de France. Several teams have also closed after loss of financial backing.

Women's races are unable to generate attendance figure rivaling those of men's races for a number of reasons - a general feeling that they are somehow less exciting (not helped by certain UCI figures), lack of exposure on TV and in the press and other factors - which has the effect of convincing sponsors that they're not getting value for the money they put in. This means the sport has always lived hand-to-mouth on budgets that are miniscule compared to men's racing; but the problem becomes worse each time an event is forced to close, as racing is what generates exposure - thus the problem fuels itself. It's a tragedy when any race comes to an end, but the damage done is far greater in women's cycling - especially when it's a race as prestigious and important as this one.

Tour of Britain Stage 2 cancelled

Sky's Steve Cummings crashed hard yesterday. With
today's much worse weather, the race could easily have
become carnage. (© Racklever CC3.0)

Stage 2 of the 2011 Tour of Britain has been cancelled by organisers due to the high winds that are battering the North-West of Britain as a result of Hurricane Katia.

Stage 1 was raced in atrocious conditions, leading to a crash in which Sky's Steve Cummings fell hard and LeopardTrek's Jens Voigt broke a finger. Cummings was able to continue after receiving attention from medics, Voigt's injury forced him to abandon the race.

With a Yellow Alert - high risk of damage to trees and buildings, probable travel disruption - alert put into place for the region by the Met Office, the decision to cancel the stage had been suspected overnight before confirmation came at 10:00 on the morning of the stage. Sky's Geraint Thomas, a favourite to win the race, Tweeted: "Disappointed but safety is the main issue guys. Got to respect the police decision. Not worth breaking ourselves." Meanwhile, riders are reported to be milling about the start line, disappointed but accepting that the decision had to be made.

However, cycling fans and residents of Kendal will still be able to see some action as riders will be completing a limited number of display laps around the town centre. This will take place in a neutral zone and as such will not affect race standings. Other activities are being planned according to an official Tour Tweet at 10:45, and it appears celebrations will be held at the Blackpool Tower finish line later this afternoon.

The organisers' full statement can be read here.