Financial problems have caused the organizers to cancel two major Spanish stage races, the Setmana Catalana and the Vuelta Ciclista a Aragon, it was announced Wednesday. "The basic reason is that it has been impossible to raise enough money to put on a race to the standards expected and met in previous editions," said Catalana organiser Esport Ciclista Barcelona. "We are confident that the issues affecting professional cycling, and as a result the Setmana Catalana, will soon be resolved so that we can put on a race next year."
Arturo Lopez, of the Vuelta a Aragon, said that the race faces "the same problems as other races" and that the management "is not able to cover the budget." However, he said that there is still a small chance that the race could still be held, noting that "as of February 2 we will know definitely whether it can be run or if we must suspend it."
