BC Superweek: Watch Pro Cycling in Vancouver

Racers at the 2017 Gastown Grand Prix. Photo via GlobalRelayGGP.org

If you want to catch some of North America’s best cyclists in action, check out BC Superweek. From July 5-14 the Vancouver area hosts nine different pro cycling races in six different communities. Each race has a slightly different format, but they all take place on local streets so they’re free to watch. The racing gets pretty exciting as the athletes can hit speeds of up to 70kph! Plus, many of the races have fun extras like kids events, live music, or beer gardens.

There are two main types of races in the series. A criterium is a race where riders do laps around the same short circuit, jockeying for position. There is a lot of sprinting. (Tip: If you want to sound like a pro, call it a “crit”.) The road race is more of an endurance event where the cyclists race a longer course. Both are pretty fun to watch. Here’s a full listing of all the races you can check out.

Tour de Delta North Delta Criterium: Friday, July 5

Where: 84th Avenue and 114th Street, North Delta
The Course: A 1.2km loop in the heart of North Delta with a fast downhill and some tight corners.
Best Places to Watch: Any of the corners, especially near the start/finish line at 84th and 114th.
More Info: TourdeDelta.ca 

 

Tour de Delta Ladner Criterium: Saturday, July 6

Where: Bridge Street and Delta Street, in Ladner
The Course: A 1km loop through historic Ladner. Watch for the racers to take fast corners heading into the straightaway sprints on Elliott and Delta Streets.
Best Places to Watch: The start/finish area at Delta Street and Bridge Street, or ‘Crash Corner’ at Chisholm Street and Delta Street.
More Info: TourdeDelta.ca

 

Tour de Delta White Spot Delta Road Race: Sunday, July 7

Where: Tsawwassen
The Course: A 13km loop through the streets of Tsawwassen. The men’s race will do 12 laps of the course while the women do 8. Several short but steep hills keep things interesting.
Best Place to Watch: The start/finish area on 53rd Street.
More Info: TourdeDelta.ca

 

New West Grand Prix: Tuesday, July 9

Where: Columbia Street at 8th Street in downtown New Westminster
The Course: A short 935m circuit that the cyclists will circle for up to 55 laps. A mass start and some steep hills make for lots of drama.
Best Places to Watch: The start/finish area on Columbia Street at Begbie Street or any of the corners.
More Info: NewWestGrandPrix.com

 

Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix: Wednesday, July 10

Where: Water Street in Gastown
The Course: A 1km loop through the cobbled streets of Gastown. Watch for crashes on the sharp corners and bumpy roads.
Best Places to Watch: The start/finish area on Water Street at Cambie or the near the Gassy Jack statue at Water Street and Carrall Street.
More Info: GlobalRelayGGP.org

 

Giro di Burnaby: Thursday, July 11

Where: Hastings Street in North Burnaby
The Course: A short 1.14km loop past the businesses in the Burnaby Heights area. There are lots of tight corners where cyclists will compete for position in the pack.
Best Places to Watch: The start/finish area and any of the corners.
More Info: GirodiBurnaby.com

The start line at the Giro di Burnaby. Photo via GirodiBurnaby.com

 

PoCo Grand Prix: Friday, July 12

Where: City Hall in Port Coquitlam
The Course: A short loop through the heart of Port Coquitlam. Some tricky corners keep it interesting.
Best Places to Watch: Veteran’s Park or any of the corners.
More Info: PoCoGrandPrix.ca

 

Tour de White Rock Choices Market Criterium: Saturday, July 13

Where: White Rock Elementary School in White Rock
The Course: The tight loop around the White Rock Elementary School has some good corners and a slightly uphill stretch that will challenge riders.
Best Places to Watch: Along Johnston road or the corner of Fir Street and Pacific Avenue.
More Info: TourdeWhiteRock.ca 

The Tour de White Westminster Savings Rock Road Race. Photo via TourdeWhiteRock.ca

 

Tour de White Rock Westminster Savings Road Race: Sunday, July 14

Where: Marine Drive in White Rock
The Course: A 10.5km loop along Marine Drive, then uphill into the surrounding neighbourhood.
Best Places to Watch: The steep uphill section along Magdalen Avenue or the corner of Bergstrom Road and Marine Drive as the riders turn into the long straightaway.
More Info: TourdeWhiteRock.ca 

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