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The Tour of the Gila is cutting its prize list slightly, but will continue thanks to recent donations

Published: Feb. 21, 2009

New Mexico's Tour of Gila stage race will hold its 23rd edition this spring, thanks to recent donations that have offset much of an expected budget shortfall.

Race director Jack Brennan told VeloNews on Saturday that the event's price list will be reduced 15 percent for all categories and the event is still searching for a title sponsor. The event will remain part of the National Racing Calendar, he said.

"Although fundraising goals have not yet been fulfilled we are definitely going ahead with the 2009 event," Brennan said.

Brennan said last week that the Gila was about $50,000 shy of meeting its budget and that organizers planned to meet Friday to consider canceling or reducing the scale of the 2009 event.

But he said that in the last few days "many people have stepped forward to help make up the financial shortfall. We have been inundated with calls from racers who want to know how they can help the race continue."

He said many racers said they were willing to accept a reduced prize list if it meant the race would continue.