Just a few days ago, a friend enquired if I knew whether B.C. Superweek, the crown jewel in local cycling, was still on for 2020.
Monday the answer came and it’s really not a surprise. The Tour de Delta, New West Grand Prix, Gastown Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby, PoCo Grand Prix and Tour de White Rock are all off.
The series totals nine races and was scheduled to take place July 10 through 19.
More than $140,000 in prize money was on offer for this year’s series; organizers claim the week as Canada’s biggest professional road cycling series.
The 2021 edition is scheduled for July 9-18.
“Of utmost importance is the health and safety of all who make B.C. Superweek one of the biggest professional cycling events in North America — the public in each community and visitors from around the world, sponsors and partners, volunteers, athletes, teams and guests. Organizers also feel there is a broader responsibility to society’s efforts to tackle this global challenge,” officials said in a media release.
With the Canada-U.S. border closed to non-essential travel, it would have been difficult for American racers to travel north. The races also attract large crowds, especially around the finish lines, which wouldn’t be allowed with restrictions against large gatherings still in place,
“With the likelihood that measures related to COVID-19 will continue for the foreseeable future, we must act responsibly to protect the many people who come together for B.C. Superweek from being at risk,” said series director Mark Ernsting.
“These considerations are especially related to concerns regarding mass gatherings and the strain on emergency services, as well as movement and travel restrictions within Canada and around the world.”
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2020
