July 3, 2004 – In 1991, an unknown 19-year-old American by the name of
Lance Armstrong won the tough Gastown criterium in Vancouver while riding
for the Subaru/Montgomery cycling team. He hadn’t even planned to come to
the race. His national championships were taking place in Salt Lake City
two days later, but his teammate convinced him to make the trip. That
teammate was Jonas Carney.

Jonas had won the race the year before, also as a 19-year-old riding for
Subaru/Montgomery. He told Lance young riders could do well in Gastown, and
was he ever right. Gastown has always been a stepping stone to greater
things for its champions, which include Alison Sydor, Alex Stieda, Brian
Walton, Chris Carmichael and Ron Hayman, to name just a few.

The Tour de Gastown has an amazing history, and now it’s available for
viewing on the Tour de Gastown Web site at
www.tourdegastown.com/history2004.html. The page features lots of great
photos and clippings that span the races history since it started in 1973.

“First and foremost, we want to thank The Province and The Vancouver Sun
newspapers, as well as the Westender and other contributors, for
permitting us to display these items,” said race chair Scott Hawthorn. “We
can’t thank them enough for the great job their writers and photographers
have done covering our race year after year.”

Among the clippings and photos are a young Roland Green at the 1993
pre-race press conference, 1982 race program features on 7-Eleven’s Eric
Heiden, Evian’s Alex Stieda showing off his 1991 Allsop and reports on the
then upcoming 1985 battle between 7-Eleven’s Nitz, Keifel and Phinney vs
Alan McCormack’s Killian’s Red Irish team.

“We have more items coming in each day, including some great shots by
Lorne “Ace” Atkinson from 1973-77 and some early posters too,” says
Hawthorn. “If anyone has items they’d like to display, we’d love to hear
from them.”

The Tour de Gastown (July 21) is part of BC SUPERWEEK, which includes the
Tour de Delta (July 16-18) and the Tour de White Rock (July 23-25), and
features North America’s top professional cyclists racing for $45,000 in
cash prizes.