WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsTrek Bikes anticipating Olympic announcement

Trek Bikes anticipating Olympic announcement

MADISON (WKOW) -- If Chicago wins the 2016 Summer Olympic games, so does Wisconsin.

Madison would be a cycling hub, bringing hundreds of athletes and their fans to Dane County.

At Trek Bikes, employees are anxiously awaiting the decision.

Not only would it be good for business, Trek employees say having the games here would boost Wisconsin's image as a premier cycling locale.

Hosting major cycling events isn't new to the capital city. With the Act 7 AIDS Ride and Ironman under its belt, Madison is ready to add "Olympic host" to its biking resume.

"It's very exciting for everyone," said Andrew Rosch, store manager at Trek Bikes. "Madison is already a great place for cyclists -- lots of infrastructure and opportunities."

Trek Bikes is hoping Olympic events will generate interest and get equipment sales spinning.

"Business just boomed after the Ironman showed up," Rosch said. "There was an interest before it, leading up to it."

The kinds of bikes profession athletes are riding are the exact same models marketed by Trek.

"Road bikes and time trail bikes, which would be appropriate for two events that would come to Madison -- we'll probably see a big increase in interest," said Rosch.

And if the Olympics come to Wisconsin, Trek earns some credit for Dane County's inclusion in Chicago's bid.

A company worker scouted out Tyrol Basin this spring and relayed information to Chicago 2016 organizers.

About a decade ago, Trek helped organize a biking competition on the same ski hills slated for mountain biking.

"One of the event sponsors was Trek Bikes," said Don McKay, owner of Tyrol Basin. "And that's how I think Trek Bikes happened to think about Tyrol Basin when they were approached by the 2016 Olympic folks."

Said Rosch, "This would be a huge event that's going to bring opportunities for higher level competition, as well as every day riders to get involved in something that's really big and exciting."

Madison would likely become a home base for athletes in the cycling events. Wisconsin would host time trial, road cycling, and mountain biking.

Chicago is going up against Rio De Janeiro, Madrid and Tokyo. The committee makes its decision Friday.

E-mail Jeff Angileri -- jangileri@wkowtv.com