Bike tour to bypass Port this year

Race the Harbor, a Port Washington bicycle race that was the seventh leg of the 11-day Tour of America’s Dairyland pro-am cycling series, won’t be held this summer.

Race organizer Tammy Thompson-Oreskovic of ZuZu Pedals said the decision was made after the event lost its major sponsor, Arnold’s Environmental Services.

“We’re 100% dependent on sponsorships,” she said, noting the event didn’t charge admission. “Our event was free to the public.”

The company had committed to being the major sponsor for the race for three years, and couldn’t commit to continue, said Thompson-Oreskovic, who is also president of Arnold’s.

“It was a tough decision to make, but it was a business decision,” she said. “It was a big amount of money, and I agreed to it to get it off the ground in the hope that it would be seen as valuable to the city.

“I can’t shoulder that kind of financial responsibility forever.”

Finding sponsors is difficult, Thompson-Oreskovic said, noting that every business is asked to contribute to events and organizations.

“We’re hopeful it (Race the Harbor) will come back,” she said. “There’s no lack of desire to bring it back.”

Race the Harbor was held on the south side of downtown for its first two years, moving to the heart of the city last year.

“We had the best turnout we ever had last year,” Thompson-Oreskovic said. “We had great participation. It was very exciting. People had great views of everything. I think we’ve got the location nailed — now it has to be supported.

“This was about more than just a bike race,” she added. “This was about bringing people to Port Washington, attracting people to the downtown and exposing them to everything we have to offer.”

Although she hopes to bring Race the Harbor back to Port in the coming years, Thompson-Oreskovic acknowledged it may be difficult to regain a slot in the Tour of America’s Dairyland circuit.

“I don’t know — it may be,” she said.

But while Race the Harbor may be leaving Port this year, Thompson-Oreskovic said cycling races aren’t leaving the city.

The Rock’n Beach FunDuro fat tire bike race will be held at the Veterans Park bandshell at noon on Sunday, April 28.

“We’re trying some other things,” Thompson-Oreskovic said. “Now that spring is here, it’s time to think about things like this.”