The race, sanctioned by USA Cycling, the official governing body of cycling competitions in the United States, will pass through more than 50 Texas cities with United or Market Street stores.
The winning purse of $175,000 is the largest of its kind in the United States.
The tour, which will begin in the Metroplex and will wind its way from Wichita Falls, through the Panhandle, the South Plains, the Abilene Big Country region, and through Snyder, is expected to draw the top national teams and the best Division I riders in the country. It will travel more than 1,000 miles and will consist of nine stages -- some short and others as long as 150 miles in a day.
The event will be a boon for those communities that the tour will pass through, according to United’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dan Sanders.
“The economic impact of the race on local communities will be substantial,” he said. “Close to 1,000 people will pass through each community, from the racers themselves to the international press and additional members of the racing entourage to tourists from around the world.”
The race is also a vehicle to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which aids cancer survivors and their families. It will provide a platform to raise awareness for cancer education and garner support for cancer research.
At the announcement, employees of United and Market Street presented the foundation with a check for $350,000.
All proceeds from the event will be given to the charity.
“We’re hoping the money raised by this event will help researchers continue their efforts to find a cure for cancer,” Sanders said.
Gary Shifflett, director of United Supermarket in Snyder attended the event, and said the event is expected to have a big effect on the local economy.
“There should be a lot of economic impact,” he said. “How well it does in each town will depend on what each community does.”
He said it is hoped the statewide race will raise more than the $360 million generated by the Super Bowl in Houston.
Shifflett also said the riders on the tour will not just be passing through each town, but will stop and get acquainted with the community. He said the Snyder store will be working in the months ahead to plan some community events for the race. No concrete date has been set for the launch of the race.
He said it’s possible the riders would speak at local schools, adding that it’s possible that Armstrong, who has won the Tour de France for five consecutive years, may race.
“I think it’s going to be great,” he said. “It will be neat if we can get some community things going.”