Aqu, Inc., organizers of The Tour of America, a coast-to-coast professional stage race, on Thursday announced revised dates and a tentative route for its inaugural event.

Based upon feedback from racers, professional racing organizing bodies, the media and supporters, the tour has been shortened to 21 stages covering approximately 2200 miles (more than 3500 km) and scheduled for September 6-28, 2008.

The tour will start in New York's Central Park and travel through 18 states before finishing in Palo Alto, California. Cities along the race's route include New York City, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Denver, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Napa, Santa Rosa and Palo Alto.

Twenty-five teams will be invited to compete for a prize purse of $10 million.

Frank Arokiasamy, Aqu's president, originally announced the event during a press conference at the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas. As originally conceived, the race would have covered 4000 miles with 27 stages during 30 days of competition.

"The overwhelming response showed there was an interest and a need for a Tour de France-style race here in the United States. Based on the feedback from everyone, we realized our first plans were perhaps too ambitious and that the original race schedule didn't fit within standard racing protocols,” Arokiasamy said.

“To ensure the race would attract the best international racing teams and the support of both cycling enthusiasts and sports fans alike, we've modified the race schedule and route to its current form."

"Our goal is to make this race happen in September 2008," Arokiasamy added. "There is a lot to accomplish between now and then. With help and cooperation of host cities, racers, bicycle-racing enthusiasts and potential sponsors, we can make it happen."

For more information, see www.aqusports.com.