Austria Tour race director confident

By Susan Westemeyer

The Austrian Cycling Federation is apparently still not sure whether the 2009 Tour of Austria will be run, but Tour Director Ursula Riha is confident that the riders will take to the Alpine republic's roads again this summer.

"The Tour of Austria is not just a monument in Austrian sport, but it is absolutely necessary for the continuation of cycling in the country!" she told Cyclingnews.. "The financing of the Tour looks to be set, but right now we are holding discussions about the times of the television broadcasts, which many sponsors will orient themselves on."

Riha announced in early February that the race was 80 percent financed. However, at its meeting the end of February, the Austrian Cycling Federation did not reach a definite decision as to whether the race would be held.