Under-25 Cycling Class Will Race In Tour Of Pennsylvania

The 500-mile Tour of Pennsylvania will stage its inaugural cycling race from June 24-29, 2008, the “first Tour de France-style race for the espoir — or under-25 — class” in the U.S., according to Tracie Mauriello of the PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Organizers said that with a $250,000 purse — the largest in the world for the class — and a “challenging route, the race is expected to draw a large international following.” American Eagle Outfitters and Highmark, both of which are based in Pittsburgh, are the race’s main sponsors, and Highmark will also sponsor a series of free health fairs along the route, which runs from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/17).