May 26, 2006 – Whether oceanside on Sooke’s classic hills, or downtown at the infamous Crash Corner, there’s plenty of excitement set to roll for cycling fans during Victoria’s two-day Times-Colonist Cycling Festival. The Cardinal Law Sooke Classic Road Race on May 27 and 100.3 the Q Bastion Square Grand Prix on May 28 will draw the best athletes from around the province to test pedals and mettle in front of hundreds of spectators.

CLASH OF THE TITANS SATURDAY

It’s a classic match-up. Vancouver’s perennial powerhouse cycling team Symmetrics against PacificSport’s National Cycling Centre Team. Watch for Symmetrics and PacificSport athletes – Andrew “Pinner” Pinfold, three-time Olympian Eric Wohlberg, and recent Commonwealth Games time-trialist Svein Tuft, as well as Cam McKnight, Derek McMaster, Tim Sherstobitoff, Rob Britton, Mandy Poitras, Maria Lee, Marnie Hambleton and Trish Sinclair.

The Cardinal Law Sooke Classic Road Race kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 from John Muri Elementrary School with the elite men’s race followed by the women’s elite race, and then the non-elite races. About 200 riders will take to West Coast Road in Sooke, west of Victoria. Events include Elite Men (138 Km), Elite Women (111 Km); Non-Elite mens (81 Km); Non-Elite womens (64 Km).

This event is also part of the provincial FloraGLO BC Cup Series. Next stop for these riders? The national championships and perhaps the 2008 Bejing Summer Olympics.

For spectators, the majestic hills and scenic waterfront offers spectacular views in amidst the skills and race tactics of the athletes.

GET INCHES AWAY FROM THE ACTION ON SUNDAY!

Feel the rush of the athletes as they pass you at speeds in excess of 50 km/hr, only inches away!

The 100.3 the Q Bastion Square Grand Prix kicks off at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, May 28 in downtown Victoria’s Bastion Square with races all day culminating with the women’s elite race at noon and the men’s elite race at 1 p.m. Spectators can get inches away from the action of the 900-metre criterium route surrounds Bastion Square – Wharf, Fort, Government and Yates Street, including the infamous “Crash Corner” at Yates and Wharf Street.

Many of Canada’s top riders — Alison Sydor, Brian Walton, Alex Steida, Sandy Espeseth, Luca Segato, Sara Neil and others — have competed at the Sooke Classic (formerly Gary Lund Road Race) and Bastion Square Grand Prix.

Keep an eye out for PacificSport contenders such as 2004 World Track Championship silver medallist Mandy Poitras (Langley) or current FloraGLO BC Cup Series leader Rob Britton (Victoria) in the nail biting wheel to wheel racing around Bastion Square. Former National team cycling coach Steve Lund will be announcing all the action, crashes and thrilling sprint finishes anticipated.

The Tim Hortons Timbit Challenge will give kids from ages five to 10 the opportunity to test their pedal mettle too. This fun event, starting at 11 a.m. at Bastion Square is free and open for the first 150 kids registered. Registration forms are available at local Tim Hortons stores and at www.victoriacyclingfestival.com

Following the Timbit Challenge, the Helijet Airways Cops / Courier Challenge will add a little more fun to the day. Victoria’s finest will face off against local bike couriers in relay fashion, showing spectators just who is the fastest on wheels.

The Times Colonist Cycling Festival is held in support of the PacificSport National Cycling Centre. To find out about sponsor opportunities for local businesses, call 384-8223.

Volunteers and marshals are also welcome to be part of the festival. Volunteers receive a t-shirt and an invitation to the post-event Volunteer Recognition Reception.


Register and Race Package Pick-up
Friday, May 26, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Russ Hays The Bike Store, 650 Hillside Avenue
Saturday May 27, 6 a.m. – 7:30 am, John Muir Elementary Schoo,l 7179 West Coast Road, Sooke
Sunday May 28, 7 am until ½ hour prior to each race start time at the Registration Tent on the corner of Fort and Langley streets in downtown Victoria.