Commuter gridlock will give way to intense speed, at least for a few hours, when the B.C. Superweek Cycling Series hits New Westminster’s downtown streets on July 11.
The event, labelled the New West Grand Prix, will see professional cycling come to the city as part of a nine-race, 10-day Lower Mainland series.
Getting in on the action is something that will bring excitement and a fun attraction to the city, New West’s mayor said.
“B.C. Superweek is a prominent event on the sporting calendar in our province and joining the series showcases our city in a big way,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said in a press release. “The New West Grand Prix, along with our waterfront location, heritage downtown, Anvil Centre, and Westminster Pier Park, will help continue to present New Westminster as a city that promotes fun, family-friendly events.”
Taking place the second week of July, the B.C. Superweek Cycling Series puts $135,000 in prize money on the table for racers over nine events.
The New West race will be second in the series, joining the Tour de Delta, Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby, PoCo Grand Prix and Tour de White Rock.
The proposed course will include portions of Columbia, Eighth, Carnarvon, Sixth and Begbie streets, although the official route is still being finalized by event organizers.
The criterium-style race features a mass start and a 935-metre circuit which incorporates 45 to 55 laps. Spectators will be encouraged to grab a viewing spot along the route to catch the fast-wheeling action, with more than 200 men’s and women’s cyclists expected to compete.
Past series races have drawn elite cyclists from around the world.
The event begins with a youth race, followed by the spotlight elite women’s and men’s races.
Properties affected by the road closures on race day are being included in the planning discussions, while alternate routes will be provided in and around the downtown corridor.
“B.C. Superweek is one of Canada’s most prominent road cycling series, but with the addition of the New West Grand Prix, the series continues to establish itself as the most prominent professional cycling series in North America,” B.C. Superweek Series director Mark Ernsting said. “Professional cycling has become a real median for cities to showcase themselves not only locally, but also internationally through the series.”
The event is in its 16th season, and has grown with the additions of PoCo last year and New West for 2017. The series has attracted such world-class athletes as Denise Ramsden, Alex Stieda, Brian Walton, Alison Sydor, Leslie Tomlinson, Davis Phinney, Shelley Olds, Chris Horner, and Tyler Farrar.
