May 15/08 9:10 am - BC Cancer Foundation Teams Up With Tour De Gastown

Posted by Editoress on 05/15/08
 

BC Cancer Foundation Teams Up With Tour De Gastown
Tour de Gastown press release

The BC Cancer Foundation has teamed up with the Tour de Gastown, British Columbia’s premier bicycle race and the centrepiece of the BC Super Week series of bike races, to raise public awareness of the need for cancer research funding.

Jonathan Wornell, Event Director of what this year will be called “BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown”, said he was extremely pleased that the BC Cancer Foundation had chosen to be even more closely associated with the race, which is scheduled for July 16.

“For many years there has been a strong bond between the BC Cancer Foundation and cycling in B.C., so it makes sense for us to join forces and use this great family event to promote such a good cause,” he said.

Nick Locke, Sr. VP Development of the BC Cancer Foundation, said, “Members of the racing and the recreational cycling communities have always been enthusiastic supporters of the BC Cancer Foundation. We are very happy to partner with the Tour de Gastown in raising funds for research at the BC Cancer Agency throughout the province.”

An added attraction of this year’s BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown is its inclusion in the prestigious 10-race US Crits Championship Series (www.usacrits.com/). It is the only race outside of the U.S. in the series.

Wornell said inclusion of the race in the Crits Series was a clear indication that the race has reached a new level in North America.

“The series attracts many of the North America’s top riders. Points are awarded cumulatively for each race so there is an incentive for teams to enter all the events. The inclusion this year of the BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown shows the respect that our event has earned among riders and teams on the professional circuit,” Wornell explained.

“The added competitive edge to this year’s event means spectators can expect to see racing at an even higher level than ever before,” he added.

“Over the years the Tour de Gastown has become a firm family favourite as a mid-week summer outing. Once again, we should see close to 40,000 spectators lining the route in Gastown to see some of the top riders in North America.”

The BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour de Gastown title is contested by men and women in separate races over a super-fast 1.2 km course on the streets of Gastown. It attracts some of North America’s top riders who battle for more than $15,000 in cash prizes. Past winners have included seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

The women’s race, over 30 laps (36km), is expected to attract about 60 riders and will begin at 6.15 p.m. The 50-lap (60km) men’s race has a maximum field of 130 riders and will start at 7.30 p.m.

With the start and finish line at the Gastown steam clock on Water Street, the course includes a 165-degree hairpin turn onto Cordova Street, a three-block downhill sprint to a sharp left turn onto Carrall Street, a sweep through Maple Tree Square before a 250-meter dash to the finish line along Water Street’s cobble stones.

Visit www.tourdegastown.com for race details and updates. For sponsorship opportunities please contact Jonathan Wornell at info@tourdegastown.com