July 17/09 17:30 pm - Sidney Twilight Grand Prix / Oak Bay Criterium

Posted by Editoress on 07/17/09
 

Sidney a New Bastion for Cycling?

While Victoria's Ryder Hesjedal is cycling the cobblestones of the Champs-Élysées in Paris, back home, local riders and future Olympians will be taking to the streets of Sidney and Oak Bay for their own brand of bike racing action. 

The Cardinal Law Sidney Twilight Grand Prix, Saturday, July 25th, takes a cycling landmark - the Bastion Square Grand Prix and moves it to the twilight hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and to a route further north. This BC Cup Championship event features some of Canada's finest male and female cyclists.  Racing on a short fully enclosed 1000 metre figure-8 course through Sidney's downtown area, this European-style event features thrills and spills. Check out “Bevan Avenue Chicane” and watch the race from both directions; witness the “prime” and finish line sprints at Beacon and 2nd Ave. in front of  Russ Hay's the  Bicycle Shop, or enjoy a bite to eat or a cup of java at the many “course-side” outdoor cafes along the route.

The action continues the next day at the Oak Bay Bicycles Criterium, Sunday, July 26 at Windsor Park from 8 a.m. to noon. All registration fees for the Oak Bay criterium and other fund-raising activities in the park go directly to the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock campaign. Past fund-raising efforts collected more than $7,000 each year.

As part of the Oak Bay fun, the popular Tim Hortons Timbits Challenge will give kids from ages five to 10 the opportunity to test their pedal mettle on Sunday, July 26 at 9:30 a.m prior to the Group A race at the Oak Bay Bicycles Oak Bay Criterium. Timbit challengers ride 1 lap alongside national team riders on the closed-to-traffic 900-metre crit course around Windsor Park. All Participants will receive a medal, waterbottle, snack pack of Timbits, a cycling handbook, and a T-Shirt. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. at Windsor Park near the start/finish area. There is no registration fee, but participation will be limited to the first 150 registered.  All riders will need a bicycle and properly fitting helmet. 

For more information and to register for all events during the July 25-26th weekend, visit www.sidneytwilightgp.com 

Press release