Westside Cycling Classic a Huge Success
More than two hundred riders braved a challenging course in the fourth race of the SISU BC Cup series; McMaster and Goldstein take the top spot on the podium

Vancouver, CANADA, June 20, 2005 - More than two hundred riders from the Pacific Northwest braved the challenging course in the Westside Cycling Classic hosted by Wedgewood Cycling Team on Sunday. Several thousand spectators cheered on the racers as they sped through the 13km loop around the University of British Columbia, the beaches of Spanish Banks, and up the steep hills of West Point Grey, eventually circling back through the start finish area on West 10th Avenue.

Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell fired the starting pistol for the races, thanking spectators, residents, local businesses, volunteers, and the racers for their support of the event.

"We want to make Vancouver the [cycling] capital of Canada," Mayor Campbell said to the crowd, noting that it's events like these that help put us on the map.

In all, there were five separate races ranging from novice to professional, and in distance from 54km to 132km.

"With two challenging climbs, it was definitely a race of attrition. The course favoured riders with good climbing legs and incredible endurance," said race director Jonathan Wornell, who also organizes the Tour de Gastown bicycle race scheduled this year on July 20th.

"We really wanted to show-off everything that the west side of Vancouver has to offer with this course: a spectacularly scenic neighborhood with beautiful views and roads, the beach, an exciting merchant corridor and, of course, the hills. We couldn't have asked for a better location."

But at the end of the day, it still came down to a sprint finish. Derek McMaster from Team Coastal beat out Sean Dawson from Trek Red Truck Ale by half a wheel in the final sprint in the Category Men's 1/2 race.

In the Women's 1/2/3 race, Leah Goldstein from Trek Red Truck Ale made it look easy with a five minute lead over her nearest competitor, Alison Sydor from Rocky Mountain Business Objects.

"We're very pleased with the support we've received from everyone for this race," glowed Philip Meyer, General Manager for the Wedgewood Hotel, the title sponsor for the Wedgewood Cycling Team, after the race.

"This event came together beyond our expectations thanks to our volunteers, sponsors and supporters, and the riders. We've received nothing but positive feedback about it. There's a real appetite for cycling right now in North America, and we're thrilled to contribute to the growing popularity of the sport."

The Westside Cycling Classic was the fourth stop in the province-wide SISU BC Cup race series and is the only cycling road race in the City of Vancouver for 2005. The race was a part of the Point Grey Fiesta Weekend and race proceeds will be donated to the BC Cancer Foundation.

For More Information
For more information about Wedgewood Cycling and full race results, visit www.teamwedgewood.com or contact info@teamwedgewood.com.

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Media Contacts:

Jonathan Wornell
(604) 836 9993
Race Director Wedgewood Cycling Team

Philip Meyer
(604) 608 5311
General Manager Wedgewood Hotel

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