The Union Cyclist International granted a license for the first edition of the Montreal-Boston Cycling Tour, to be held next year. The “2.1” license allows the event to include world-class international cycling teams of Tour de France caliber, national team selections and the best teams representing North and South America.

The eight-day race will follow an as-yet undisclosed route through Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts, from Montreal to Boston, from August 4-11, 2007.

Race organizer Daniel Manibal is a seasoned promoter of World Cup cycling events. “After three years of hard work, the UCI not only grants us a unique race but bonifies it by according us the 2.1 license,” said Manibal in a press statement.

With the rise in popularity of road cycling and in the wake of the success of the first-ever Tour of California this year, the Montreal-Boston Cycling Tour, strategically timed after the completion of the Tour de France and before the Vuelta Espana, stands a good chance of becoming a major international event.

“I think that this new international event could become one of the best cycling events in the world,” said Pat McQuaid, the CEO of the UCI.