April 17, 2006 – A world leader in the development and manufacturing of technical cycling clothing has announced it will make a significant contribution to BC Superweek this year. Top finishers in the Tours de White Rock, Gastown and Delta. July 15-23, will be receiving long-sleeved, zip up the back, podium jerseys from Giordana, the Italian company that provides race and podium jerseys for many of the major races in North America and Europe.

“BC Superweek is the best racing, the best race series in Canada and we’re very happy and proud to become a part of it,” says Giordana spokesman Bronko Glavich, adding “this was an easy decision for us.”

BC Superweek jerseys, with local race colors, logos and sponsor names, will be provided thanks to a new sponsorship agreement announced by BC Superweek and Giordana’s Canadian distributor, Gita-Canada. It will supply the required number of race and podium jerseys for the Tour de White Rock, Gastown, and Delta. It will also produce an ad campaign proclaiming Giordana is a proud sponsor of the 2006 BC Superweek. The ads will be distributed to 1,200 bike shops in Canada and to a wide variety of cycling magazines and media throughout North America.

“Giordana and Gita are two of the great names in cycling apparel and equipment,” says Rita Clarkson, race director for the Tour de White Rock. “When world class companies like that come on board as the first sponsor for all 3 of our events, it’s a real vote of confidence for BC Superweek. It’s also a sure sign that we’re achieving our goal of turning our races into an important part of the racing calendar in North America – one that attracts not just the top riders but also the best sponsors and businesses.”

In the 26 years since Giordana was started in Italy by Giorgio Andretta, the owner of Gita Sporting Goods Ltd, it has grown into an international industry leader in creating technical bicycle clothing. Gita also represents other premium products and brands including Eddie Merckx, Pinarello, Pegoretti and Ergomo Power Meters. They’ve sponsored world class racing teams including Mercury, Colavita, and Sierra Nevada along with premier events like the Tour de Georgia and the Pro Cycling Tour.

“Our core business is and always will be racing,” says Glavich, National Account Executive for Gita Canada. “We know this sport very well and when we see what they’ve done with BC Superweek we’re not going to just throw in a jersey or two, we’re going to jump in with both feet. Last year we were involved with the Tour de Delta and observing the quality of the race and the management made it a very easy decision for us to sponsor all three races this year. We’re very impressed by the very solid management teams with Delta, White Rock and Gastown. That’s what is most important to us. We really want to be sure that the management strength is there to see that a race is not just here today but will be here for a long time, supporting and building racing in Canada.”

BC Superweek, the richest week of racing in Canada, annually attracts a strong international field that features many of the top pro teams in North America racing in front of the largest crowds of any race in the country. The illustrious list of winners of the classic road races and criteriums in White Rock, Gastown and Delta include Lance Armstrong, Gord Fraser, Brian Walton and Allison Sydor. This year BC Superweek begins with the 27th annual Tour de White Rock, July 15, 16, 17th, continues with the usual 30,000 spectators expected for the Tour de Gastown, July 19th and concludes with the prestigious Tour de Delta, July 21, 22, 23rd.