The 5th annual TNA Westside Cycling Classic took place under perfect skies on Sunday, June 7th in the Point Grey neighbourhood of Vancouver. The intense heat from earlier in the week abated and the prospect of rain never developed.

The first event in Cycling BC’s BC Cup series provided a great spectacle for the hundreds of fans on site. The elite men and women got under way shortly after 10 am with the men racing 126km and the women battling for 84km on the 10.5 km closed route around Pacific Spirit Park.

The women’s race took a while to shape up with a small move just holding a 10 second lead for a number of early laps. The Queen of the Mountain competition started to heat things up with the ladies fighting it out for the $250 prize. Jean Ann McKirdy from the Local Ride team took the prize and helped form the winning move, which included her teammate Laura Brown, Naomi Cooper (dEVO), Kristine Brynjolfson (Westwood Cycle/Cannondale). Lisa Howard (Escape Velocity) and Marie Claude Gagnon (Glotman Simpson) were just dangling off the back of this move. When the group passed the Finish with two laps to go it was clear the winner would come from the lead four. Coming in to the finish straight Laura Brown took advantage of some great teamwork and came through with the win. Naomi Cooper was second ahead Bryjolfson, McKirdy and Howard made up the top five.

A good size field of nearly 80 riders took part in the men’s elite race. It took a few laps but eventually the right mix of teams established a break and 12 riders went off the front. Included in this mix were Tim Abercrombie, Jesse Reams, Dan Skinner, Guy Biggar (Garneau Evolution), Brandon Crichton, Sebastian Salas (Specialized/Dizzy Cycle), Tyler Trace, Adam Thuss (Trek Red Truck Ale p/b Mosaic Homes), John Perkins (Glotman Simpson), Mark McDonald (H&R Block/Kona), Curtis Dearden (Westwood Cycle/Cannondale) and Justin Kerr (Liquid Fitness). This group managed to gain more than 6 minutes on the main field and sealed the deal that one of them would win the day. Brandon Crichton displayed amazing power by taking the win on every KOM lap, giving him the well-earned $250 prize. Everything looked to be coming down to a sprint finish amongst this group of twelve but a strong move by Tim Abercrombie and Justin Kerr gave them a gap that would see them to the line. The final climb witnessed an attack from Kerr that was too much for Abercrombie. Justin Kerr soloed in for the victory with Abercrombie close behind. Tyler Trace won the sprint for third and Jesse Reams and Mark McDonald closed out the top five.

The early races saw the Category 4/5 men and Master Men on the course. Some celebrity racers including former Canuck turned bike racer Trevor Linden and Iron Chef Rob Fennie took on the field but in the end Chris Squire (Mighty Riders) won the Masters event and Marc Perrot (Glotman Simpson) won the 4/5 battle.

Thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors and racers. The event was run in support of the BC Cancer Foundation.

Photos available here.

Full Results

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The Wedgewood Cycling Team is pleased to announce that independent investment firm, Odlum Brown Limited, has signed on as an Associate Sponsor of the Team. They join existing sponsors The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Seaspan, Vancouver Litigation, Bean Around The World, and The Airey Group in support of the 2008 Cycling BC Club of the Year.

“We are delighted to welcome Odlum Brown to our group” said Philip Meyer, a co-founder of the Wedgewood Cycling Team. “Our association with Odlum Brown will further help us with our commitment to support Cycling in BC and raise awareness and funds for the BC Cancer Foundation,” Meyer continued. Since its inception in 2005, the Wedgewood Cycling Team has raised in excess of $150,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation and is well on the way to doubling that this year with its participation in the inaugural BC Cancer Foundation Ride To Conquer Cancer.

The introduction of Odlum Brown Limited comes on the eve of the Team’s showcase event for 2009, The Westside Cycling Classic, in Vancouver on Sunday, June 7. The race, which kicks off the 2009 BC Cup Series, promises to boast one of the largest fields for a road race in BC.

Odlum Brown Limited is an independent, full-service investment firm providing disciplined investment advice and objective research with a singular focus on clients.  Established in 1923, the firm offers a full range of investment products including equities, fixed income, mutual funds and GIC’s; a Young Investors Club for children; and financial, retirement and estate planning through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Odlum Brown Financial Services Limited.

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Vancouver BC, Monday May 25th 2009.

Wedgewood Cycling Team is now accepting requests for our Team Village and Expo Village at the TNA Westside Cycling Classic presented by Shape Properties & Mosaic Homes on Sunday June 7th 2009.

Set in the heart of Point Grey our Expo Village will give companies the opportunity to show off their goods & services to the riders, crowd, and visitors to the TNA Westside Cycling Classic 2009. Expo space is by donation at the event to the BC Cancer Foundation.

Our Team Village will be set up very close to the start/finish area and will give teams the opportunity to show themselves off as they prepare and recover from this exciting event.

The TNA Westside Cycling Classic will be an important fundraising event in support of the BC Cancer Foundation for the Wedgewood Cycling Team.

For information on how to secure your space in either Village please contact Brad Bisset of the Wedgewood Cycling Team via email.

VL Uncategorized BC Cancer Foundation, Races, Westside Classic

Come join the fun and spend the day engrossed in the excitement of the Westside Cycling Classic, where riders from around the Pacific Northwest race on the scenic roads surrounding Pacific Spirit Park!

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to take on the role of Course Ambassadors. As a Course Ambassador, you will be tasked with informing spectators and residents alike of all the ins and outs of the event throughout the day. For your participation, you will be given a souvenir shirt, lunch, and an opportunity to win great draw prizes!

The race will be one of the Wedgewood Cycling Team’s fundraising initiatives and for 2009, it will help create awareness and support for the BC Cancer Foundation.

To join our event day team, please contact Linda Wong.

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One day after completing the inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle, a group of riders, including members of the Wedgewood Cycling Team, will embark on the “Journey Home” from Seattle. On Monday, June 22nd 2009 they will retrace their steps from the previous two days of cycling, with the objective of completing the return trek to Vancouver in one day.

The team will be led by Wedgewood Hotel & Spa General Manager Philip Meyer and former professional cyclist and Olympic medallist, Axel Merckx. They will be joined by Axel’s wife, Jodi, a former professional triathlete and John Litherland and Michael Sileika, both members of the Wedgewood Cycling Team.

The Journey Home team will be riding in support of their friend SINDI HAWKINS. Sindi recently retired after serving the province and the public for 13 years as MLA for Kelowna-Mission. Since her own leukemia diagnosis in 2004, she has been a tireless supporter of the cancer cause. As co-chair of the BC Cancer Foundation’s Tour of Courage in 2007, as founder of her own annual Sindi Hawkins & Friends Charitable Golf Tournament, and with a new endowment fund, Sindi has helped raise nearly $3 million for the BC Cancer Foundation.

Sindi is currently battling leukemia for a third time. The Team know Sindi as not only a cancer survivor, but, as Lance Armstrong has said, a cancer ‘thriver.’ They are undertaking the Journey Home to honour the contributions Sindi has made in making a difference for those affected by cancer and to acknowledge the challenges she faces in her current battle with the disease.

Please support the Team with a modest donation of $25. All funds raised will be directed to the SINDI HAWKINS AND FRIENDS EDUCATION ENDOWMENT and will help create a World Free from Cancer. Donations can be made on-line here.

VL Uncategorized BC Cancer Foundation, Journey Home, news, Sindi Hawkins

For the tenth consecutive year Bacchus at the Wedgewood has been recognized as the best Bar and Lounge on Vancouver by the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards. Here’s what they had to say: “The city’s posh lounge scene has always been vibrant, but recessionistas are making these economical alternatives to fine dining all the more popular. This year’s list is topped by Bacchus Piano Lounge at the Wedgewood Hotel (Gold), where a good pour of scotch and a supple leather wingback can take you to a place where markets don’t crash. “This,” summed up one judge, “is where grownups go to play.”

Bacchus was also recognized with a Silver in the Best Formal French category: “Bacchus’s Lee Parsons (Silver) raises local ingredients to the sublime (sweet corn velouté with chive chantilly and luxurious risottos studded with golden chantrelles and sweet peas)—the Relais & Châteaux designation also persuades.”

Read the full story here.

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For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Philip Meyer
Wedgewood Cycling Team
Tel 604 608 5311
pmeyer@wedgewoodhotel.com

Vancouver’s Legendary Race Announces Date and New Sponsors

Vancouver, B.C. – Wednesday, April 8, 2009 - The Wedgewood Cycling Team announces plans for this year’s edition of the Westside Cycling Classic. The legendary race will be held on Sunday, June 7th, 2009 in Vancouver, B.C.

With the support of several local businessmen and avid cyclists, the TNA Westside Cycling Classic presented by Shape Properties & Mosaic Homes escaped the fate of many sporting events. As sponsorship dollars have become harder to find, companies such as TNA, Shape Properties and Mosaic Homes stepped up to the plate.

“It takes successful people who are committed and passionate about the sport to come on board when times are tough,” explained Jonathan Wornell, Event Director of the Wedgewood Cycling Team. “Putting on a race like this in the City of Vancouver is not only a big commitment but also an expensive proposition.”

The event has established itself as one of the premier road races in Canada over the past four years. It remains one of very few to be held so close to a city center. This year, the TNA Westside Cycling Classic will cornerstone the 2009 B.C. Cup series of races.

“Our team has participated in this event for several years and we feel that it is an exciting event both from a cycling and community perspective,” said Brian Hill, President of Aritzia. “We hope that the event will continue to be supported and enjoyed by both riders and spectators.”

As in past years, it is anticipated that racers will come to Vancouver from all over the Pacific Northwest to race at the TNA Westside Cycling Classic. “As a showcase for the 2009 B.C. Cup Series it is a big draw for riders from all over British Columbia. With such an exciting course, riders are also expected from all around the Pacific Northwest and across Canada,” said Wornell.

The race will be one of the Wedgewood Cycling Team’s fundraising initiatives and for 2009, it will help create awareness and support for the BC Cancer Foundation’s Ride to Conquer Cancer. For more information about the TNA Westside Cycling Classic, visit www.teamwedgewood.com .

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TNA is a Vancouver-based lifestyle brand that caters to young women. TNA is sold exclusively at Aritzia in select cities across Canada and the U.S. and is available at all five TNA locations including Robson Street, South Granville, Metrotown, Whistler Village and Toronto Eaton Centre. www.tna.com

MOSAIC HOMES builds and sells townhomes and rowhomes through out Greater Vancouver. Focused on enduring value, MOSAIC builds homes that are Driven by Design and priced within reach. Please visit one of our properties to learn more about our passion for housing first hand, or see us on the web at www.mosaichomes.com. MOSAIC HOMES is proud to sponsor cycling events in the communities where we build.

Shape Properties Corp. is a real estate investment and development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shape’s current focus is on acquiring large development sites for retail or mixed use development, and acquiring existing shopping centres that are suitable for densification, redevelopment or repositioning. www.shapeproperties.com

The Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, Washington Marine Group, Bean Around The World Coffee, Vancouver Litigation Support Services and the Airey Group all sponsor the Wedgewood Cycling Team.

VL Races news, Races, Westside Classic

Wedgewood Cycling Team founding director, Philip Meyer, was honoured by Sport BC with a Presidents’ Award in recognition of his contribution to the development of road cycling in BC. The award was presented at Sport BC’s Annual Athlete of the Year Awards on March 24, 2009. Here are the details as reported by Cycling BC.

Athlete of the Year Awards
The sports community gathered on Tuesday at the Athlete of the Year Awards to recognise the provinces best athletes, coaches and officials as well as the outstanding contribution of some great volunteers.  The sport of Cycling had its moment in the spot light as Wayne Pomario (Cycling BC President) was recognised as British Columbia?s Official of the Year and Philip Meyer (Team Wedgewood) was presented with the Cycling BC?s President?s Award for his contribution to the sport of cycling.

Wayne is arguably one of the best track officials in the world and was appointed Chief Commissaire and President for track cycling at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. This appointment capped off a series of notable assignments including Judge Referee at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Australia and the President of Panel at the 2008 World Track Championships held in England.

Philip continues to contribute countless hours to the development of road cycling in British Columbia. Philip serves on the Board of the Wedgewood Cycling Team and works tirelessly within the club to ensure the success of events like the Westside Classic and Tour de Gastown. More recently, he has served on successive organizing committees to raise funds and awareness for cancer research including the 2007 Tour of Courage and the 2009 Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Cycling BC would like to congratulate both Wayne and Philip on their achievements.

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