Representing the Federal Liberal Government saw Delta’s Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament announce the awarding of a $50,000 hosting grant from Sport Canada to the Tour de Delta.

This funding will include Sunday’s UCI 1.2 White Spot/Delta Road Race that see’s an overall growth of the UCI 1.2 that saw expert cyclist John Murphy (Holowesko–Citadel p/b Arapahoe Resources) win the 2017 event.   

Delta’s Mayor Lois Jackson told the assembled “few” on hand “We are grateful to our wonderful sponsors and volunteers, who have helped the Tour de Delta become a mainstay summer attraction in the community.”

She continued mentioning“This $50,000 hosting grant from the Government of Canada, the Sport Canada Hosting Program, and Cycling Canada, we can continue to make this phenomenal event a success year after year.”

Cycling Canada Cyclisme President John Tolkamp mentioned “This funding is critical to ensuring our elite and upcoming Canadian cyclists have the opportunity to compete in a high-quality event with a high-quality field of competitors. This level of event is crucial to their development and allows us as a nation to garner valuable international ranking points with home field advantage. Cycling Canada wishes to express our sincere thanks to Sport Canada for the grant and the City of Delta for hosting a remarkable and long-lived event.”

This year sponsor for the Tour de Delta is the Beedie Group and for those not in the know the purpose of the Sport Canada Hosting Program is to assist sport organizations in hosting international sport events in Canada which the White Spot/Delta Road Race is considered due to its UCI status.

Cycling BC Executive Director Erin Waugh mentioned “Races that attract the attention of the very best riders need financial support. The Sport Canada Hosting Grant announced here today will help to ensure that the White Spot/Delta Road Race continues to be a destination race on the North American circuit and this hosting Program also delivers economic, social and cultural benefits to Canadian communities like Delta.”

Race Director Mark Ernsting mentioned “It has allowed Delta to host a UCI Caravan Driver Training course locally that allows our provincial car and motorcycle drivers to continue to enhance their caravan driving skill.”

Those living in the area are or should be familiar with BC Superweek which is Canada’s biggest professional road cycling series featuring over $140,000 in prize money that puts on display nine (9) races over a ten day period.

BC Superweek initially kicks off July 6th in Delta with coverage by Delta TV on both Friday and Saturday from the streets of North Delta and Ladner with times posted on Delta TV website.

It seems funny to get asked by for the past events I have been asked the following “How is the funding set out and who get’s what – other than the Tour de Delta”???

BC Superweek see’s the tour hit the streets on the following dates:

• Tour de Delta (July 6 – 8)

• New West Grand Prix (July 10)

• Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (July 11)

• Giro di Burnaby presented by Appia Development (July 12)

• PoCo Grand Prix presented by Dominion Lending Centres (July 13)

• Tour de White Rock presented by Landmark Premiere Properties (July 14 – 15)

For more info please contact Brian Wiebe at brian.wiebe@bcsuperweek.ca.

Sportswave will have daily updates on all races.

Photo By D. Laird Allan