BC Superweek, Tour de White Rock, & UBC Grand Prix work to grow cycling in BC
One of the goals of BC Superweek is to continue to develop the sport of cycling in British Columbia and there are some exciting initiatives as part of the UBC Grand Prix and the Tour de White Rock this year which help reinforce those goals.
For 2014, Cycling BC has created the inaugural BC Premier Road Series, a race series featuring five of the province’s top races which provides top level competition for riders. The races include the DEVO Classic Stage Race, Race The Ridge, Robert Cameron Law Cycling Series, UBC Grand Prix and Tour de White Rock Criterium.
Competitors in eight categories (Cat 1/2 Men, Cat 1/2/3 Women, Cat 3/4 Men, Cat 3/4 Women, Junior Men, Junior Women, Master 40+ Men, Master 40+ Women) battle to wear the BC Premier Road Series Leader’s jersey. Points are accumulated over the five races with the series winner being crowned at the Tour de White Rock Criterium on Saturday, July 12. The Tour de White Rock and UBC Grand Prix are the last two races in the series, which makes the points available in those events that much more important. Also, both events featuring Cat 3/4 women’s races is a first for BC Superweek.
“Cycling BC is so pleased to have the support of BC Superweek for our first BC Premier Road Series,” said Cycling BC Race Coordinator Barry Lyster. “Having the UBC Grand Prix and Tour de White Rock as the final two races of the Series helps solidify our efforts in offering top tier road racing in BC for both riders and spectators.”
As far as the Tour de White Rock and UBC Grand Prix go, the inclusion in the BC Premier Road Series is a very positive step toward growing the sport of cycling in the province.
“The UBC Grand Prix is so pleased to be a part of the BC Premier Series, to provide a platform for cyclists to elevate their skills, and raise the quality of cycling in BC,” expressed Dr. Jack Taunton, UBC Grand Prix Race Chairman. “We feel the Series will increase the depth of cycling in the province and produce more athletes for international teams for major events like the Commonwealth Games, Pan Am Games, and Olympic Games for BC riders and ultimately at the professional level.”
“The BC Premier Road Series is just the kind of event that fits into the healthy living ethos of the Tour de White Rock and our City,” said City of White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin. “Residents and visitors alike get the chance to be inspired by these amazing athletes as they tackle a range of challenges over three days of racing on the July 11 – 13 weekend.”
Also, the UBC Grand Prix is doing its best to bring the intensity and excitement of professional cycling to the business community with its annual Corporate Challenge.
As part of the Corporate Challenge, riders will compete in Elite and Recreational categories, plus an Industry Challenge has been added. Elite riders in the Corporate Challenge race eight laps of the 1.1km pro course in relay format, competing for fastest overall team time. Recreational riders complete six laps of the 1.1km pro course racing for a time closest to their predicted team time. Altogether, both divisions will compete against others registered in their industry to see which team is closest to their overall predicted team time. All five members of each team will be given an access pass to the exclusive VIP tent proudly sponsored by Mahony & Sons.
“The Corporate Challenge is an example of the strong link between sport and business. Cycling is rapidly taking the place of golf through social and competitive rides that encourage networking, and it’s a great way to get out of the office,” explained Taunton. “The Corporate Challenge allows a young business person to show the same commitment to the workplace that an athlete does to his or her cycling training.”
BC Superweek features $120,000 in prize money available during nine races over 10 days. BC Superweek runs from July 4-13, and is made up of the Tour de Delta (July 4, 5, 6), UBC Grand Prix p/b Mahony & Sons (July 8), Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (July 9), Giro di Burnaby p/b Appia Developments (July 10) and the Tour de White Rock (July 11, 12, 13). For more information, visit www.bcsuperweek.ca.