Hundreds of racers will descend on Greater Victoria this week to take part in the Victoria Grand Prix - Canadian Masters Road Cycling Championships.
Three days of championship cycling racing action will take place from July 19 to July 21. The event features the disciplines of time trial, road race and criterium. It will also include a bicycle polo tournament, kids cycling expo and a classic bike show.
The event was last held in Victoria in 2019 and organizers have said that they are thrilled to return to the ‘cycling capital of Canada'.
North Saanich will host the time trial race, which challenges racers to complete two laps of a 10km course that is called 'The Race of Truth'.
Metchosin will be the venue for the road race, where racers will complete multiple laps of a hilly 10km loop that also features a twisty downhill descent.
For the final day of the championship, racers will gather at the BC Legislature for the criterium event, which is a one-kilometre circuit race around a closed-off course, where riders line up and race multiple laps as fast as they can.
Supported by Cycling BC and Cycling Canada, the event aims to nurture and grow grass roots cycling, whilst also engaging with the community.
Organizers have warned businesses and residents to be aware that there will be some road closures and periodic traffic changes on affected public roads.
In North Saanich on Friday, July 19, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., there will be cyclists on Willingdon Road, West Saanich Road at Mills, Munroe and McTavish. Limited vehicle traffic will be permitted by traffic control.
For the road race in Metchosin on Saturday, July 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Rocky Point Road, Liberty Road, Labonne road and Kangaroo Road will be impacted by the cycling action. Limited vehicle traffic will be permitted by traffic control.
On Sunday, July 21, from 7 a.m. to 4 a.m., the championship criterium at the BC Legislature, will cause full road closures on Belleville Street, Government Street, Superior Street and Menzies Street.
For more information visit the event website: www.victoriabikerace.com.
Full championship schedule:
Friday, July 19 - North Saanich
Individual time trial - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, July 20 - Metchosin
Road race - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 21 - Downtown Victoria/BC Legislature
Criterium - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bicycle Polo - 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kids Expo - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Classic Bike Show - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
