Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix racing through Vancouver this week

Jul 7 2016, 2:17 am

If you feel the need, the need for speed, then hit the streets of Vancouver this Wednesday evening for the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix.

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North America’s top professional cyclists will race wheel-to-wheel, tackling Canada’s most famous annual criterium bike race – and you’re invited to line the route for free.

The thrilling, multi-lap 1.2-kilometre course starts and finishes next to the steamclock. From the steamclock, riders head up Water Street, around the infamous hairpin turn at Cordova Street, around the Gassy Jack statue and back up Water Street.

The race is a chance to watch world class athletes do something we all do – riding a bike – at incredibly fast speeds, bumping elbows and shoulders, with their wheels just inches from each other.

With riders flying by at 50 km/h, spectators can also expect a few crashes.

Riders go wheel-to-wheel in the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (Greg Descantes)

Riders go wheel-to-wheel in the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (Greg Descantes)

The women’s race is 35 laps, or 42 km, while the men’s race is 50 laps, or 60 km. The action starts at 5:30 pm with the youth race, ending at 9 pm with award ceremonies.

Unique setting, unforgettable race

The Gastown Grand Prix is part of BC Superweek, Canada’s biggest professional cycling series, which features more than $125,000 in prize money in eight races over 10 days.

Running from July 8 to 17, Superweek also features the Tour de Delta, Giro di Burnaby, PoCo Grand Prix, and Tour de White Rock.

Of course, Gastown’s unique race is famous for its bricks, cobblestones, signature hairpin turn, and historic downtown setting. It also has the largest prizes of any criterium in North America, with $50,000 up for grabs in total.

Since 2012, the race has also been sponsored and operated by Global Relay, a tech company in Gastown that has invested $2 million in the race over 10 years.

The Gastown Grand Prix is now operated by Global Relay, a tech company in Gastown (Greg Descantes)

The Gastown Grand Prix is now operated by Global Relay, a tech company in Gastown (Greg Descantes)

First held in 1973, the race now attracts the world’s top cyclists, and has been won by riders from Canada, the US, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Germany and Sweden.

Former Canadian Olympian Ron Hayman, former national champion Gina Grain and fellow former Canadian champion Verna Buhler are tied for most victories with three wins each.

Come down on Wednesday to soak up the Gastown atmosphere, enjoy the thrills and spills of the unique race – and see if any more records are broken.

Garrett McLeod (H&R Block Pro Cycling Team) outsprints Will Routley (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) for 2nd place at the 2015 Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (Global Relay)

Garrett McLeod (H&R Block Pro Cycling Team) outsprints Will Routley (Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies) for 2nd place at the 2015 Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (Global Relay)

Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix

Where: Start/finish line next to Gastown’s steamclock. Spectators can line the route along Water, Cordova, and Carrall streets.

When: Wednesday, July 13

Time: Youth race at 5:30 pm, opening ceremonies at 5:55 pm, women’s race at 6:15 pm, men’s race at 7:30 pm. Award ceremonies are at 9 pm.

Daily Hive Vancouver is a proud sponsor of Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix

Gastown Grand Prix cyclists round the hairpin turn at Water and Cordova (Greg Descantes)

Gastown Grand Prix cyclists round the hairpin turn at Water and Cordova (Greg Descantes)

 

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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