BC Superweek returns this July for the 2016 edition

This summer, Canada’s premier cycling series, BC Superweek, returns to the asphalt of the British Columbia Lower Mainland, and the dates for this year’s competition have been officially released.

The second week of July, it’s safe to say, is going to be a hot one on the West Coast.

Racing runs from July 8 to 17, with eight races in seven different B.C. communities over a 10-day period. The tempo of competition will already be at a searing pace on the 8th, a Friday, when the MK Delta Lands Criterium kicks off in North Delta, B.C. On the 9th, the Brenco Criterium tears through Ladner, while the White Spot | Delta Road Race follows in Tsawassen on Sunday, July 10.

After a couple days’ downtime for riders, the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, undoubtedly a highlight of the series, brings what’s become known as one of Canadian cycling’s most challenging, exhilarating events back to the cobblestone of Vancouver’s historic Gastown district. Then it’s the Giro di Burnaby presented by Appia Development on July 14, a criterium-stye race that runs through the Heights neighbourhood of Hastings Street in Vancouver.

Friday, July 15, as Canadian Cycling Magazine previously reported, will be a notable day on the BC Superweek calendar. That’s the date of the inaugural PoCo Grand Prix in Port Coquitlam, B.C., the newest event under the BC Superweek banner. The crit is expected to draw a field of about 200 male and female cyclists, who will race a 1.3km, 40-65 lap circuit through the downtown core, the bunch streaking past spectators every minute or so. Originally scheduled for earlier in the week, the event was recently rescheduled for the Friday—a day before BC Superweek’s culminating race rolls out.

On Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, the Tour de White Rock concludes BC Superweek with a two-day points series race. The two-day event features the Choices Markets Criterium on Saturday, and on Sunday, the Peace Arch News Road Race, capping off the week.

The event’s dates, officials said, are only the first of the details that will start coming out between now and the summer. “Over the next number of months,” said race director Mark Ernsting, “we look forward to unveiling additional details that will further enhance BC Superweek as one of North America’s top series of professional cycling races.”

That prestige has helped shape many of Canada’s top names in cycling. Riders like Svein Tuft, Leah Kirchmann, Shelley Olds and Denise Ramsden have all put rubber to the road at the series, one that offers more than $125,000 in prizes for athletes. Each year, between 5,000 and 30,000 spectators attend BC Superweek.