The Tour of Russia could become a reality if President Vladimir Putin has his way. The head of Russia has personally asked the International Cycling Union (UCI) President Pat McQuaid for a spot on the ProTour calendar as his country builds for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, according to The Guardian. The new race could find its place on the 2009 racing calendar, with a substantial prize list.
McQuaid, who has been subject to criticism in the last years for alienating the Grand Tours (Tour, Giro and Vuelta), noted that the project would be inline with the globalisation of the UCI ProTour, which could include a tour in China.
