ATB Tour of Alberta ceasing operations after five years running

Canadian UCI stage race cites lack of funding as cause of events cancellation

Canadian Cycling Magazine February 15, 2018

There will be no sixth edition of the Tour of Alberta in 2018. Citing financial difficulties and loss of traditional fundraising sources, the Alberta Peloton Association announced today it would cease operations and all future events would be discontinued. The UCI stage race ran for five consecutive years, visiting 29 communities in locations across Alberta.

“The ATB Tour of Alberta was one of North America’s top cycling events and brought some of the world’s best cyclists to the Province of Alberta,” said Board Chair, Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson. “We are very proud of the positive impact this event has had in showcasing Alberta’s people, communities, and landscapes to the world.”

Tour of Alberta Stage 3 jerseys — The jersey wearers after Stage 3 of the 2014 Tour of Alberta, from the left: Ramunas Navardauskas (sprint), Mattea Dal-Cin (most agressive), Tom Dumoulin (race leader), Simon Yates (KOM) and Ryan Anderson (best Canadian). Photo: Joanne Elves

The event began in 2013 as a six day stage race, when an ascendant Peter Sagan won three stages, and Garmin-Sharp’s Rohan Dennis claimed overall victory. Other past winners have included Daryl Impey, Bauke Mollema, and Robin Carpenter.

Along with presenting cycling’s international stars to viewers in Alberta, Tour of Alberta was chance for upcoming Canadian cyclists to line up against WorldTour teams. Rally Cycling’s Canadian-heavy squad had an especially strong showing in 2017, dominating the opening stage to Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park. The team fought hard in the following days, carrying Evan Huffman to the overall win.

Evan Huffman Tour of Alberta — Evan Huffman raises his arms in victory at the end of Stage 3 of the Tour of Alberta. Image: Oran Kelly

By Tour of Alberta’s final year, though, the race had dropped from six days to four. Cannondale-Drapac was the only WorldTour team to attend the event in 2017, racing against North America’s best Continental squads from U.S. and Canada.

Jeffrey added, “This decision did not come easily, however with the current economic conditions and decreases in traditional funding sources, we had no other option. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the partners, communities, vendors, volunteers, staff, cyclists, teams and fans that made the ATB Tour of Alberta a success over the last five years.”