Serge Arsenault, the organizer of the Grand Prix of Quebec and Montreal, focuses on future calendars with Yann Le Moenner, CEO of the Tour de France and Gilbert van Fraeyenhoven, chief of cobbled classics. They discussed the future of professional cycling and the current proposal to reform the race calendars and the structures of the teams. Arsenault works in order to that the two Canadian races remain in World Tour, but he also seeks to integrate an American race like the Tour of California or the USA Pro Challenge.
"It's important to understand that without a major race in the United States, it's difficult to pretend we have a real WorldTour," Arsenault told Cyclingnews. "I think the riders could do what I call a 'North American break' much like they have in golf. We know that it has to be on the East coast so that it's shown on prime time European time, and so that the traveling is not too tough for the riders. We'd have three one-day WorldTour races in September. It'd be before the world championships."
"This sport has to become truly international. It's been European for a hundred years and we were the first to have a WorldTour race during the peak season. We've proved its a success and can be done. Now we need a true world circuit, so that we have the best riders in the best races."
ASO dominates the sport due to the economic and historic power of the Tour de France, Arsenault is fighting to truly globalise professional cycling. "The UCI is backing our efforts, so too is ASO, RCS Sport and Flanders Classics. We're talking, understanding each others' needs and desires. We have to work together and pull in the same direction. If that happens, then everyone will be a winner. If ASO is against change and we start another turf war, cycling will be killed off. Fortunately I think the stars are aligned now and in two years time I think we'll have a positive development for the sport."
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