Tour de Victoria to feature Olympians and World Champions
The 2011 Tour de Victoria
Victoria, B.C. – The Tour de Victoria (TDV) powered by GoodLife Fitness is just two days away and riders are gearing up and getting ready to take on the challenge of a 140k, 100k or 50k ride.
“Once again we have Olympians and World champion athletes at the helm of the different rides,” said Seamus McGrath, TDV Ride Director. “With over 1,500 riders registered, we are looking to showcase cycling and all of our beautiful roads and trails to the riders that have come from near and far to cycle through 13 different municipalities.”
The 140km ride will be lead by former World Champion Ironman Triathlete Peter Ried and three-time X-terra World Champion triathlete Melanie McQauid. The 100km ride will be lead by Olympic silver and bronze medallist Silken Laumann and Olympian Andreas Hestler. The 50km ride will be lead by GoodLife Fitness CEO David Patchell-Evans (“Patch”).
“GoodLife Fitness and its members are so excited to be a part of Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria,” said GoodLife Fitness Founder and CEO, David Patchell-Evans (‘Patch’). “We are thrilled to be supporting such a prestigious and exciting event that is inspiring Canadians to get active and healthy through cycling. There is a great buzz in our clubs about the event, especially in our Group Cycling classes, where many are preparing to take part in Ryder’s Tour. Our collective congratulations go out to Ryder on his historic accomplishment at the Giro and we will be watching him with anticipation in the Tour de France.”
“We are still looking for volunteers for our Island Savings Volunteer Crew, in particular road marshalls, so if you are thinking about coming out to support the riders and cheer them on as they go through your area, think about volunteering in your neighbourhood, cheering and help man an intersection,” said McGrath. “We are especially in need of volunteers in the Saanich Peninsula, Sidney and Central Saanich area.”
Volunteers can register online at www.tourdevictoria.com/volunteers/island-savings-volunteer-crew-opportunities.
For residents the road closures will begin to be in effect just prior to the ride start times. The start of the 140km ride is downtown in front of the legislature at 7am and will roll through the start of the 100km ride in Langford at approximately 8:15 am and the 50km ride starting in Sidney at 10:30 am. Roads along the route are expected to be affected until approximately 3pm.
“It’s not too late to ride, so join us for a great day of biking, there’s a distance there for everyone,” said McGrath. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or riding in the 2012 Tour de Victoria, is asked to register at www.tourdevictoria.com, or in person at Harbour Towers Hotel on Friday and Saturday.