Tour de Georgia road racers kept safe by 250 GSP Troopers

It takes some 250 Georgia State Patrol troopers to protect the traveling Tour de Georgia race this week, keeping 150 pro cyclists, along with support vehicles, and photo cycles, safe as they ride hundreds of miles on Georgia roads

Lt. David Cody of the Georgia State Patrol said, "It's an honor to be a part of something that has such a far reaching impact for the betterment and safety of the sport."

In 2003, the Georgia State Patrol was first approached by the Tour to help coordinate and plan the race. Now the GSP involves close to 250 of its troopers to coordinate the 600 miles of racing, and the agency is sought by other states for their expertise with professional bicycle racing. They have provided consultation to the California Highway Patrol for its Amgen Tour of California as well as to members of the Colorado, Missouri, and Washington State Highway Patrol.

Working with representatives from Medalist Sports, a sports marketing agency based in Tyrone, Georgia, which is licensed to operate the Tour de Georgia, the GSP begins work long before the start of the actual event.

The GSP meets with the Georgia DOT and representatives from various police agencies including officersfrom the railroad and U.S. Forest service to go over the route. Once the route has been identified, it is up to the officersto keep the roads safe for travel.

While the GSP is busy reviewing the route with Medalist Sports planners, the Georgia DOT begins to make a list of any upcoming construction projects that could affect the route. Communications and coordination is the key to success between these state agencies, and the local organizations who partner with them to make these roads some of the safest in the world.

New for 2008, the GSP will have an interactive display in the Health and Wellness Expo, which is free to the general public at each Finish Line Host Venue. The Health and Wellness Expo provides a fun environment where parents and children can learn important information on healthy lifestyles, injury prevention and general wellness. The GSP will not only use this platform to provide safety presentations each day, but also publicize career opportunities for the organization.

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