April 14, 2011 (Vancouver, BC) – Cycling BC today announced the B.C. Provincial Masters Road Race Championships will take place on July 10th in Penticton, B.C., as part of the inaugural Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan (VFGFAMO) cycling festival.

“We’re excited to host B.C.’s top Masters cyclists in what should be an amazing weekend of cycling,” said former Pro Tour cyclist, Axel Merckx.

The Masters races will precede the start of the inaugural VFGFAMO Granfondo andMediofondo mass participant rides, and include the following categories:
– Master Men B (40-49), C (50-59) & D (60+)
– Master’s Women B (40-49), C (50-59) & D (60+)

Only 100 spots will be available for this Championship event, and riders must hold a Masters Category 1, 2 or 3 license. Category 4 Masters can seek approval orupgrade from Cycling BC to participate. The entry fee for licensed Masters racers will be partially subsidized by Axel Merckx Events, and racers can enter this Championship event for $100.

“Just as we want to grow the Axel Merckx Youth Development Program in B.C. and Canada, we hope to cultivate high performance cycling at all levels and ages,” Merckx said.

Masters Women, as well as Masters Men C and D categories, will start the 92km (Mediofondo) course at 6:30 a.m. along Penticton’s Lakeshore Drive. Masters Men B,meanwhile, will start 20 minutes later at 6:50 a.m., followed by the start of the inaugural VFGFAMO. Two of the VFGFAMO’s official sponsors, SRAM and Zipp, will provide Masters racers on-course support and neutral wheels, respectively.

Register now. Only 100 spots available. Visit: here.
If in doubt about your race eligibility, contact Cycling BC here.
For course route information (Mediofondo), visit: here.

For more information, contact:

Jason Curran
Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan
E-mail: jason@granfondoaxelmerckx.com
Tel: 778-233-6762
Web: here.