Jack Brennan, co-director with Michelle Geels of the SRAM Tour of the Gila bicycle race, spoke to the Beat, after an article in USA Cycling came out confirming that the Tour of the Gila had been added to the Union Cycliste Internationale America Tour.

"We're real excited about what the tour can become," Brennan said. "Our whole focus is to use this race to bring exposure to this part of the world, including Silver City, Grant County and New Mexico. This is a vehicle for us to promote ourselves as a cycling venue. As an international race, it will bring us that kind of recognition."

He said he expects a "really good event in 2012."

"The feeling in the world of the cycling community in the U.S. is that we need more international races," Brennan said. "We found funds to do it. USA Cycling was excited and helped us get it. It will also bring more recognition to the teams that race and our sponsors."

The race is designated as a level 2.2. Brennan explained that the first number indicates that it is a multi-day race, and the second number signifies the placement of the race on the calendar.

"We are at the lowest level of an international race, but if we stay there a couple of years, maybe we can work our way up," Brennan said.

The Tour of the Gila, which will run from May 2-6, 2012, will be in its 26^th year of putting on what began as a small bicycle race, and now, thanks to the work of Brennan and Geels and many community members who regularly participate as volunteers, the race has grown to become an international race.