The pill goes badly to Sisteron. The cancellation of the Grand Prix des Mutuelles de France Tour de Haute-Provence aroused a strong reaction from its organizer, Michel Borgna. In line of sight: the regional cycling committee, accused of having placed an access championship exactly the same weekend, on June 21 and 22. A decision that precipitated the end of the only amateur stage race in the region.
But for Stéphane Garcia, president of the PACA regional committee, the accusation is unfounded. “”Can we imagine ourselves for a moment that the regional committee organizes a race in order to harm another?“, He said in an annoyed tone.
“It’s not normal”
For his part, Michel Borgna does not take off. And recalls that already last year, another test had been scheduled in front of the GP. This year, the cleaver falls stronger: “The championship is a priority, so we lose 40 to 50 runners.“Already weakened by a lack of volunteers and financial support, the race will not survive it.
Stéphane Garcia, delayed: “The calendar was already established before our arrival in December. We saw each other recently duplicate. It is not normal, but it was not voluntary. I deeply regret this situation.“
Regarding competition between the two races, Stéphane Garcia stresses that the number of runners concerned is minimal. “”At the last competition organized by the golden wheel, there were 6 access runners“, he specifies.
A “handless“Rejected?
The chairman of the committee claims to have attempted a compromise with Sisteron’s golden wheel: “We proposed that the Access runners of the Golden Road Club can participate in the Grand Prix des Mutuelles, provided they constitute a team. “But nothing helps.
Stéphane Garcia says he is surprised to discover the cancellation by the press: “Before removing a race, we alert the committee and we Look for a solution. There, no. We are accused.”
And to drive the point home: “It is always easier to point the finger than to question yourself.“
Tour Paca: The drop of too much?
In the corridors, another rumor circulates: that of a hijacking of subsidies to the PACA Tour, organized at the same period in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which would penalize the other organizations. Stéphane Garcia Short cut: “The grant has not even been voted yet!“And refers the criticism to its detractors:”Some had a golden period. But today you have to move.”
