A press release states that this year's edition of the World Tour race, the Tour of Scandinavia, unfortunately has to be cancelled due to insufficient funding. However, work is underway to restructure the race concept with the aim of returning to World Tour level in 2025 with a new concept. It was with a heavy heart that the Board of Directors, shareholders and management came to a joint conclusion. It is not feasible to organise the Tour of Scandinavia this year.
"Intensive efforts have been made in recent weeks to find solutions and secure a financial basis for organising the race, but we must acknowledge that we have not succeeded in doing so," it says. Expressed in figures: there is a shortfall of around three million Norwegian kroner to achieve financial equilibrium. The organisers see it as irresponsible to plan to hold the race this year.
Tour of Scandinavia 2024
The World Tour race was scheduled to take place from 29 August to 1 September. As part of the World Tour week, it was also planned to continue last year's successful innovation: The Nordic Youth Challenge - a youth race for women. Unfortunately, these events will now not be able to take place; however, it is still planned that some local events such as the Summer Cycling School in cooperation with Green Cycling and the Tour of Norway for children will continue to be organised as usual - if possible and if the host communities are still willing to do so.
This is how it continues
By cancelling this year's World Tour race now, the loss associated with this year's event will be reduced. At the same time, this step would allow all partners to plan ahead in connection with the race. "It also frees up time and energy to work on both the business and the concept of the race to develop a sustainable event at World Tour level for 2025," the organisers promise in the press release. The application for status as a World Tour event in 2025 has already been submitted. The aim is therefore for the Tour of Scandinavia to retain its status as a World Tour race and at the same time remain the race with the highest ranking among the races in Norway.
Exciting and picturesque route options are currently being worked on for the coming year, although some pieces of the puzzle still need to be put together. Also crucial is the considerable effort that needs to be made to build a robust long-term funding model through strategic partnerships alongside public grants - which form the funding base. This endeavour involves both national and international alliances, as the Tour of Scandinavia enjoys a high level of international prestige.
All around
Funding is not just a tricky issue for events like the Tour of Scandinavia; women in professional cycling often have a tough time of it too. Changes are tough and take time. One example is the family planning of active female athletes. Female athletes from a wide range of sports have long since proven that they are capable of doing so, that motherhood does not have to mean the end of a careeryet mothers are a rarity in professional cycling.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
