Backers of the controversial closed-road Etape Caledonia cycle race have rallied round the event amid suggestions it should be scrapped after next year’s run.
Protest group Anti Closed Roads Events (ACRE) said the initial five-year deal for IMG to run the event should not be extended after 2011.
A year-round time trial run by locals should be adopted instead.
The group which has confirmed it has ditched its policy of active dissent against the race for the time being said even the local cycling community is unhappy with the current format.
However, James Rattray of Highland Perthshire Cycling Group said, “We’ve got an event here which should be the envy of the rest of Britain.
“You look at other events in Europe like the Tour de France and communities are competing for the race to come through their village and Britain doesn’t have anything like that.
“We have a high-profile event with 4700 attendees and no matter what you do you will not be able to get that back again if you lose it.”
Emma Burtles, of Highland Perthshire Cycling Festival, said, “This festival would not have happened without the Etape because the events going on are hung on the Etape at the end of the week.
“We have bike roadshows in every school in Highland Perthshire and bike clubs have been set up in two schools already, so the children are all getting involved as well.”
Scot Tares, of Pitlochry bike firm Skinny Tyres, said, “I’ve been running trips which are fully subscribed with people coming into the area prior to the event since February.
“I’ve been doing training rides and everyone I’ve come across is really keen to have cyclists coming to the area.
“Many of the cyclists have already arrived in Pitlochry and are staying the whole week so it’s wrong to say it’s just a weekend event.””Total support”The wider business community has also been in touch with The Courier to offer support for the race.
Andrew Holmes is chairman of the Pitlochry Partnership, the body representing tourist interests in the wider Pitlochry area.
He said, “We are wholly supportive of this event.
“It brings over £1 million to the local economy spread across a wide area, brings half its participants from outside Scotland and produces repeat visitors to the whole of Highland Perthshire.
“We believe the overwhelming majority of local businesses support the Etape.”
Hotelier Lesley McGown, of the East Haugh House Hotel, voiced her “total support.”
She said, “It is one of the very best things to come to Highland Perthshire and has now become the very busiest week of the year. The revenue it brings into the area is outstanding.
“In a year when we have all struggled with weather and the credit crunch, other similar events in the area would be very welcome.”
ACRE claims to represent almost 600 people in Highland Perthshire who object to over 80 miles of roads being closed during Sunday’s day-long event.