March 7/09 9:24 am - Tour de PEI Returns for 2009

Posted by Editor on 03/7/09
 

The Tour de PEI organizing committee is gearing up for the return of world-class cycling across Prince Edward Island.

Tour de PEI, presented by Scotiabank, showcases Prince Edward Island's seaside villages and idyllic countryside as a premiere cycling destination for both the elite and amateur rider. Now entering its third year, Tour de PEI has established itself in the International cycling community as a must-attend event for many of the World's top female cyclists.

International media, cycling governing bodies, and the participating cyclists are giving the previous two installments of Tour de PEI rave reviews; the Canadian Cycling Association praised the event with the Road Event Organizer of the Year award in 2007. Again this year, organizers are receiving requests from Olympic-calibre cyclists around the world who are vying for a spot in the race. About 100 elite cyclists are expected to compete in this year's Tour.

The 2009 edition of Tour de PEI is scheduled for June 7-11. There will be five stages:

Stage 1: Summerside, Sunday, June 7 - Tour 2009 will kick off in the City of Summerside with cyclists following the same route as in previous years. The City can expect to host plenty of spectators for Tour's only weekend date. In addition, cycling enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that an amateur race will be held on the Summerside circuit prior to the main event.

Stage 2: Confederation Bridge, Monday, June 8 - Beginning in Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick, the individual time trials will once again see cyclists compete against the clock in a race toward Prince Edward Island across the longest bridge over ice-covered waters, the 12.9 kilometre-long Confederation Bridge.

Stage 3: Kensington to North Rustico, Tuesday, June 9 - As in 2008, riders will embark on a challenging road race through almost every major hill and valley central Prince Edward Island has to offer. The ladies will depart the sea of cheering school children in Kensington and continue on Route 20 through Parks Corner, along Route 8 through Freetown to Kinkora and Route 224 to New Glasgow, before sprinting to the finish in North Rustico.

Stage 4: Dalvay to Montague to Georgetown, Wednesday, June 10 - In an effort to shine the International spotlight on even more of Prince Edward Island, organizers welcome a new finish line host to this scenic road race. Cyclists will once again depart the beautiful National Park and ride deep into Kings County, looping twice through Pooles Corner before concluding in the County's capital, Georgetown.

Stage 5: Charlottetown, Thursday, June 11 - Due to the Homburg Hotel construction site on Grafton Street, the preferred course that was used for the previous editions of Tour will not be available. In conjunction with the City of Charlottetown and all parties involved, we are now in the process of selecting a new course that will permit a tremendous event and a fantastic crowd.

In addition to the elite event, Tour de PEI will also feature amateur, celebrity and children's races, as well as a finish line concert to kick start the Confederation Bridge summer Concert Series. A portion of the proceeds from these events will benefit the Queen Elizabeth and Prince County Hospital Foundations. Details will be announced at a later date.

Athlete profiles, detailed schedules, route maps, and regularly updated information can be found online at www.tourdepei.com.