November 4, 2003 – Over 10 Canadian National Cycling Champions across various age categories and track cycling disciplines will be competing against some of the Northwest's best this weekend in the first event of the Burnaby Velodrome's winter race season. The 2003/2004 BVC Race Series kicks off this Friday night at North America's only indoor velodrome for what promises to be an exciting weekend of track cycling. The 200m track with 47 degree corners will play host to athletes from around the Lower Mainland, across Canada, and from the USA.
Amongst those racing will be 10 time National Champion, World Cup medalist, and Athens 2004 hopeful Mandy Poitras, who will join several Canadian National team members at the event as they begin their quest for a spot on Canada's Olympic team. Poitras, from Langley, specializes in the endurance events on the track, including the Points Race and Scratch Race.
Canadian Junior Points Race champion Marsh Cooper will be testing his legs against a tough elite men's field. The 18 year old from Aldergrove recently represented Canada at the Junior Track World Championships in Moscow, Russia and is eager to do well on his home track.
One of the most exciting athletes to watch and one of the youngest competing will be 15 year old phenom Scott Crump. Crump took home three gold medals at the Canadian Nationals in Bromont, Quebec this summer, competing against and beating 17 and 18 year old riders. Coquitlam's Crump managed to qualify for the Junior World Championships in Moscow but could not attend as he was too young: Scott has to wait for another two years to turn 17 to race at the Junior World Championships.
Burnaby Velodrome local riders will be up against some stiff competition, with Calgary's triple Canadian National Champion Travis Smith and a host of riders from Alberta, Vancouver Island, as well as racers from Washington and Oregon. US National Team member Tyler Farrar will also be in attendance. Farrar rubbed shoulders with some of track cycling's greats earlier in the year at England's historic Good Friday Track Meet, held at London's Herne Hill velodrome. Farrar placed second in the Points Race ahead of Olympic bronze medalist, former World Jr Pursuit Champion, and professional cyclist Bradley Wiggins.
Racing starts this Friday, November 7th at 7:00 PM and continues all day Saturday November 8 and Sunday November 9 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Spectators are welcome and the weather is guaranteed to be dry and warm inside North America's only indoor velodrome. For more information and to download a schedule of the race events, visit the Burnaby Velodrome website at http://www.burnabyvelodrome.ca