Confusion over the Olympia's Tour

Confusion reigns over the future of the Olympia's Tour, with conflicting announcements Monday whether the Dutch stage race would be held in 2009. Wim van Drunen, head of the organising committee, announced first that the race would not be held due to a lack of sponsorship. Hours later, Frank Boelé, director of the Amsterdam Six Day race, said that the race would take place.

The Olympia's Tour is International Cycling Union (UCI) 2.2 stage race for younger riders, which runs across the Netherlands. Organisers have run the race since 1909. Lars Boom of Team Rabobank Continental won this year's edition.

Van Drunen announced the cancellation on the race's website. Boelé later denied that report, saying that van Drunen was "no longer president. He therefore does not have the right to make such an announcement," according to telegraaf.nl.

This year, five new board members were named to the organising committee. Van Drunen claims that the new board members were never officially appointed and that the new main sponsor which they had lined up was not serious.

Boelé said that the new board members are working hard to put the race back on its feet financially. "Olympia's Tour will be run next year as usual."

Boelé added that contracts for the coming year have been signed and that several teams have already confirmed their participation. Organisers shortened the race from nine to six days for 2009. (SW)