Leelanau gets new date

Organisers of the Tour de Leelanau have announced a date change for this year's event, with the Michigan-based race to take place on Sunday, May 25. The event's date has been shifted from its late September slot from 2007, with organisers hoping to attract a larger and better motivated field.

"We have moved the event forward on the racing calendar in order to capitalize on the teams' enthusiasm for racing in early summer compared to the end of the season" said race director Steve Brown. "It has meant a short 'off-season' for our organizing committee but everything is on-track for a great race in May."

The Memorial Day Weekend date for the UCI 2.1 ranked event should also provide a boost in spectator numbers for this year's fourth edition. Both the men's and women's courses will include varying twists, climbs, and descents before finishing uphill at Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown.

"We selected the May 25th date to correspond with the upcoming major events in both the men's and women's pro cycling calendar," added Brown. "For the men, the challenging nature of the race course will serve as perfect preparation for the Philly Week Commerce Bank Classic races that take place in early June. For the women, the Tour De Leelanau will be a great way to tune their legs before the Montreal World Cup and Le Tour du Grand Montréal."