Mark Tuesday, July 11, 2017 on your calendar as professional cycling comes to New Westminster! Top Canadian and International cyclists will race through the downtown streets during a new BC Superweek event: the New West Grand Prix.
Representatives from the City, BC Superweek, and Canada’s professional cycling community announced today that New Westminster has signed a four-year agreement to be a host city for BC Superweek, the nation’s biggest professional road cycling series.
“Cycling BC is excited about the addition of the New West Grand Prix to BC Superweek,” notes Erin Waugh, Cycling BC Executive Director. “These races give our local athletes valuable experience with high profile racing close to home.”
“BC Superweek is a prominent event on the sporting calendar in our province and joining the series showcases our city in a big way,” said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté. “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.”
Held the second week of July each year, BC Superweek features more than $135,000 in prize money, with nine races over ten days. The New West Grand Prix is the second event of the series, joining the Tour de Delta, Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby p/b Appia Development, PoCo Grand Prix p/b Dominion Lending Centres, and Steve Nash Fitness World presents Tour de White Rock.
The New West Grand Prix is planned to begin with a youth race at 5:30 pm, followed by the women’s race at 6:15 pm, then the men’s race at 7:30 pm, and the day concludes with the awards ceremony at approximately 9 pm.
The criterium-style race features a mass start and a 935-metre circuit that cyclists navigate for an expected 45-55 laps. More than 200 cyclists will pass by every minute, making the New West Grand Prix a thrilling spectator experience.
The proposed race course includes parts of Columbia Street, Eighth Street, Carnarvon Street, Sixth Street, and Begbie Street. The route is now being finalized by event organizers. Discussions are already underway with properties affected by the road closures on the afternoon and evening of July 11. Alternate routes will be provided in and around downtown New Westminster that day for vehicle and transit traffic.
New Westminster is one of several Lower Mainland communities scouted by BC Superweek to expand the series. The city’s central location, accessibility to transit, and downtown race site were among the deciding factors in it being selected.
“BC 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,” said BC Superweek Series Director Mark Ernsting. “Professional cycling has become a real medium for cities to showcase themselves not only locally, but also internationally through the series. The members of BC Superweek are excited to welcome the City of New Westminster to the family.”
Businesses and the community are encouraged to participate in the New West Grand Prix in a variety of ways, including sponsorship, volunteering, and participating in all the events on July 11.
Event, volunteer, and sponsorship details have been posted at http://www.newwestgrandprix.com
