Sponsorship problems could force the organizers of the Tour de 'Toona to scratch the event this year.

"We haven't made our final decision," said promoter Rick Geist Wednesday. "We're still holding out on one big sponsor."

Raising money has been harder this year than ever for the event, which began in 1987, Geist said.

There are "an awful lot of good people still with us," but generally "sponsorship has just dried up," he said. "[Sponsorship] is the oxygen of bike racing."

He expects to know soon, he said, adding that the organizers have a deadline for obtaining sufficient sponsor commitments.

"We certainly don't want to put on an event where we can't pay the purses," Geist said.

Organizers had planned a four-day event this year, after reducing the tour from the usual seven days to one day last year, because of concerns about sponsorships, lawsuits, competing events and steering committee issues.

This year, the problems are all "external," and if the sponsorship problems take the air out, organizers will try again next year, Geist said.

Despite the shaky economy, "At this point, there's not an overwhelming concern about events being canceled or in trouble," USA Cycling organization spokesman Andy Lee said.

Only one other race on the 35-event National Racing Calendar has canceled so far - the Mount Hood Cycling Classic, said Andrea Smith, spokeswoman for USA Cycling, adding that she hopes Altoona doesn't follow suit.

Three other high-profile races among the 2,500 races sanctioned by the organization also have canceled - Tour de Georgia, the U.S. Open of Cycling and the Tour of New York, she said.

Laura Van Gilder of Cresco, who won last year's tour and various stages during more than a dozen years competing, said the race has been a big part of her life.

She was looking forward to coming here this summer when she passed her usual Interstate 80 exit on the way back from a trip this weekend, she said.

She worries that even a year's hiatus could end the race altogether, because coming back after breaking continuity seems to be difficult.

"That race creates a lot of special moments for bike racers," she said. "There's a little something for everyone."

The race protects riders and the volunteers and communities support them, she said.

"That doesn't happen with every race," she said.

"Ouch," said Team Tibco President and former tour champion Linda Jackson, who called it probably the biggest stage race for women in North America.

"It's near and close to my heart," she said.

Race Director Larry Bilotto had no comment.

"I need to get with Rick," he said. "I need to see where this rumor is coming from."

Next year's economy should be better, so organizers might be able to revive the race, if they lose it this year, said Byron DeShong, owner of Pedal Power in Altoona.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.