Tour
de France heroes, big-race winners and top Canadian talent are among the field
of 120 racers wheeling into the city for the first leg of the Tour of Albertacycling event on September 3.
The
Lethbridge course, spanning 142 kilometers in six laps through the city, was
planned to provide maximum viewing options for local residents hoping to cheer
on their favorite rider and team or for those just wanting to see some of the
top cyclists in the world close up in action.
“The
Lethbridge event, designed as a circuit race with several laps, is a very fan
friendly style of race where spectators can stay in one spot and see a lot of
race action,” says Duane Vienneau of Edmonton, executive director of the Tour
of Alberta.
“The
Lethbridge segment is also unique because it features a later afternoon start,
as local organizers wanted residents to be able to watch when they finished
work for the day,” he says.
Although
this is the first time Lethbridge has hosted a stage of the race, it is the
second year Vienneau’s team has organized the Tour of Alberta.
Touted
as being the only event of its kind in Canada, last year’s event attracted 15
of the world’s top cycling teams and was viewed by 200,000 live spectators. It
was televised to 41 million viewers in more than 162 countries.
The
economic impact for Alberta was estimated at $24 million, he says. The Union
Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world's governing body in the
sport of bicycle
racing, has given the event a 2.1 rating.
