BC Bike Race starts 11th edition in Cumberland
The BC Bike Race has set the standard for multi-day mountain bike stage races, and the 2017 edition marks the 11th edition of the event.
Riders from 33 countries will line up at the start line for Stage 1 in Cumberland, B.C., including defending champion Cory Wallace, back home in Canada following victory at the 2017 World 24 Hour Solo Championships. Three time Olympian Geoff Kabush will put up a strong challenge; 2016 third-place finisher Stephen Ettinger, along with XC and CX racer Troy Wells, and Sam Schultz are among the other contenders in the men’s division.
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Katerina Nash is one of the headliners in the women’s race. She’ll face strong competition from local talent in the form of Cary Mark, Olympian Kristen Sweetland, and Dutch Marathon Champion Hielke Elferinke.
The BCBR kicks off in the Comox Valley, familiar territory for Kabush, on Vancouver Island. From there, the race continues on the mainland in Powell River, Sechelt, and Squamish before the race wraps up in Whistler.
The course laid out through the coastal mountains makes use of some of the best trails in the world – a big part of the draw for racers from around the world. The race is headquartered in North Vancouver, a spiritual home to mountain biking. The 2017 edition includes a day spent riding the trails on Mount Seymour, overlooking Vancouver.
On the penultimate day of the race, kids can get in on the action. A race for kids 2-8 years of age will be held in Brennan Park, in Squamish, July 12th.
Representing Canada at the debut of mountain biking at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Heslter is a five time national champion, and now serves as the marketing director for the BC Bike Race. Hestler also puts together a training plan and other tips for riders to help prepare in the weeks and months leading up to the event.
Riders have already gathered in North Vancouver to finalize all registrations before heading for the first stage on Friday.
Contest: Enter to win the Quarq Shockwiz suspension tuner
