April 12, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club and GranFondo Canada have announced a partnership that designates indoor cycling classes at all clubs as training sessions for RBC GranFondo Kelowna on July 16, 2011 and RBC GranFondo Whistler on September 10, 2011.

Specifically, the “GranFondo Ride” indoor cycling classes are a heart pumping workout to prepare participants for the challenge of a 120-140km ride. These Specialty classes are led by the most advanced instructors possible, and involve a motivational mix of climbing, sprinting and off saddle drills.

“The relationship between GranFondo Canada and Steve Nash Sports Clubs was natural,” said Neil McKinnon, co-founder of GranFondo Canada, adding, “Both organizations are focused on helping people reach their fitness goals.”

Director of Group Fitness at SNFC, Ingrid Knight-Cohee says, “Our special GranFondo Ride classes at all clubs will target event preparation by focusing on hill drills and on building the endurance necessary to tackle the real event. Our partnership with GranFondo Canada highlights our commitment to encouraging high-level cycling training in our clubs.”

As part of the partnership, Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Clubs will send a team of riders to both the 2011 RBC GranFondo Kelowna and RBC GranFondo Whistler events.

The 2011 RBC GranFondo Whistler is sold out, but registration is still open for the 2011 RBC GranFondo Kelowna here.


About GranFondo Canada

Founded in 2007, GranFondo Canada (a division of TOIT Events Inc.) is an event management group committed to providing world-class cycling experiences.  Current events include the inaugural RBC GranFondo Kelowna on July 16, 2011 and the second annual RBC GranFondo Whistler on September 10, 2011. For more information, please visit: here.


About Steve Nash Sports Clubs

Steve Nash Fitness Clubs is the largest fitness brand in British Columbia with over 17 destinations. Steve Nash Sports Club was founded in 2007 in British Columbia, creating a new industry standard in the Canadian fitness arena. The modern workout facilities promote Steve Nash’s philosophy of living a healthy life in a green, sustainable environment. In 2009 Steve Nash Sports Club and Fitness World joined together, to become Steve Nash Fitness Clubs. For more information please visit: here.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial service companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. We employ approximately 79,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 56 other countries. For more information, please visit: here.



For media queries:

GranFondo Canada
Catherine Marzi
caty@granfondocanada.com
www.granfondocanada.com

TOIT Events, Inc.
1827 Victoria Diversion
Vancouver, British Columbia V5N 2K2