New Road Race Champion to unveil national jersey for Tour de Delta Tuesday

That’s a chance to add a second national title when BC Superweek kicks off with the 10th anniversary of Tour de Delta from July 9 to 11. Because for the first time in the race’s proud history, the second leg of this year’s Tour de Delta will also serve as the Canadian Criterium championship for both the men and women.

“Wearing the Canadian jersey is going to be that much more exciting as I get to debut it in front of friends and family right here at home,” said Routley, a 27-year-old Whistler native now racing for Jelly Belly Pro Cycling. “I am ecstatic about the win, and can't wait to spend the year training and racing in the maple leaf.”

MEDIA ARE INVITED to join Routley and John Tolkamp, President of the Canadian Cycling Association, for the unveiling of the new Canadian Criterium Championship Jersey at the Tour de Delta Sponsor’s Reception on Tuesday.

WHAT: Unveiling of the 2010 Canadian Criterium Championship jersey

WHO: Interviews & photo opportunity with Will Routley, new Canadian Road Race Champion, and CCA President John Tolkamp

WHEN: Tuesday, June 29th at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE: Delta Town and Country Inn; 6005 Hwy 17 (@ Hwy 99 intersection)

As eager as Routley is to win another Canadian championship jersey, he knows it won’t be easy. With $25,000 in prizes available at the three-race Tour de Delta, and another $15,000 up for grabs over three races at the 31st Tour de White Rock the following weekend, July 16-18, BC Superweek has always drawn top riders from top teams. 

With a national title also at stake at the Tour de Delta, the 2010 BC Superweek peleton is expected to be the best ever.

It will be highlighted by Svein Tuft, and Langley native who won his third straight (and sixth of the last seven) Canadian Time Trial Championship in Edmonton over the weekend. And Tuft, who set a Canadian record by finishing seventh at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Time Trial race, will be joined by fellow Canadian Christian Meier, a teammate on Garmin-Transitions team that competes on the Pro Tour – the highest level of professional cycling – circuit over in Europe.

 “A fair number of guys that are eager to go for a Canadian jersey,” said Routley. “I know a few of the local sprinters are bringing teammates from their US teams to assist them in going for the jersey. So it's going to be a hard fought race.”

The list of local riders returning as part of elite American squads includes Olympian Zach Bell and Ryan Anderson (both with Kelly Benefit Strategies), who teamed up to win the Delta Criterium last year. Andrew Pinfold (United Healthcare presented by Maxxis), who won numerous BC Superweek races over the years, and Rob Britton (Bissell Pro Cycling) are also coming back.

All are expected to stick around for the the historic Tour de White Rock, and Tolkamp doesn't think it's a coincidence that so many Vancouver-raised riders with a strong history of success at BC Superweek are returning as part of top-level US teams.

"BC Superweek has been a valuable part of the development process and we expect these invaluable local races to continue to produce and inspire future generations of elite riders who will go on to represent Canada at both international races and as top-level professionals all over the world,” Tolkamp said. “So it's fitting that we will be giving this year's racers a chance to compete for a national title and chance to wear a maple leaf jersey."

Routley agrees.

"The BC superweek races have been really important to me and many of the local pros," said Routley. "Coming up the ranks the events gave us our first taste of racing at a higher level similar to that in the US, and being able to challenge ourselves and develop here at home was invaluable. Now it is still great to be able to come home and race in front of friends and family. I am thankful the races were and still are around." 

The Tour de Delta kicks off with the MK Delta Prologue on July 9, with riders on special time trial bikes blasting down a large steel ramp and onto a quick three-km course, with top speeds expected to reach 60 km/hour. It continues with the Canadian titles on the line at the Brenco Criterium, a multi-lap race through the streets and tight corners of Ladner’s fishing village on Saturday, July 10, and wraps up with the grueling White Spot Road Race on Sunday, July 11.

BC Superweek then continues with three more races from July 16-18 at the 31st Tour de White Rock, a challenging three-event weekend (HomelIfe Hillclimb, Bosa Properties Criterium and Peace Arch News Road Race) with a history of top riders that includes serving as Canada’s pre-Olympic camp in 1992.

For more BC Superweek information visit our website at www.bcsuperweek.ca, or arrange for photos of, and interviews with, the past and present Canadian Olympians and top professional cyclists as BC Superweek approaches, please contact Kevin Woodley, Media Relations Coordinator, at 604-828-5842 or woodyz@telus.net.