Red Bull Race the Place returns to Ontario Place in Toronto for its second hell-raising ride in October
When ranks of cyclists took to the paths and pavement of Toronto's Ontario Place last year, it was the first time any member of the public -- much less anyone on a bike -- had been behind its gates since the iconic facility on Lake Ontario's shores closed up shop in 2011.
When ranks of cyclists took to the paths and pavement of Toronto’s Ontario Place last year, it was the first time any member of the public — much less anyone on a bike — had been behind its gates since the iconic facility on Lake Ontario’s shores closed up shop in 2011. The occasion was a heart-pounding, tight-turning race through the grounds; the event, bringing together riders of varying disciplines and backgrounds, was called Red Bull Race the Place.
Presented by Red Bull, it’s coming back in 2015 for its second year, happening on October 3.
Despite the absence of segments ascending Centre Road through the steep-grade climbs of High Park, the course of Race the Place follows urban geography strikingly similar to that of the Pan Am Games road races of this past summer. Riders kick off from the start-finish line near Lakeshore Boulevard, following a route of varying width through a series of turns, and after crossing a bridge over the Lake Ontario marina, launch into a long, aggressive, pedal-pumping home stretch back towards the finish.
It’s a speeding, technical circuit, 3.4 km in length, with tight squeezes forcing riders to aggressively duke it out for position. And for participating riders, there are two categories: track and fixed gear, with one brake mandatory for these cyclists, and another for road and cross riders.
Both categories will compete together in a heat format of two laps, with each heat’s top three riders advancing directly to the finals and the following two, meanwhile, heading the event’s Last Chance Qualifier. For these riders, it’s a two lap ride, leaving it all out on the asphalt, with the top five cyclists qualifying for spots at the finals. When that main event of the competition rolls out, the event will be a mass start race for three final laps, all for the glory.
It’s not, of course, a laid-back ride for kicks, but a hell-bent blitz through a series of hairpin turns, warp-speed straightaways and other, perhaps unexpected challenges. Make no mistake: it’s a hard-edged competition, and one for skilled, experienced, confident riders.
If you’re up for it, though, registration for the 2015 Red Bull Race the Place is now open.
