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Best cyclists in B.C. to lap the legislature in Victoria this weekend

The July 16 event includes a kids skill zone, bicycle polo tournament and classic bike show
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The streets of downtown Victoria around the legislature will be filled with the sights and sounds of bike racing on Sunday (July 16) as competitive cyclists from all over B.C. race in the Agency Grand Prix. (Courtesy Panache Cycling Sports)

Serious cyclists will lap the legislature in Victoria Sunday as they compete in a multi-lap racing format to claim the title of B.C. Criterium Champion.

The Agency Grand Prix features competitive cyclists from all over the province in a series of nine races throughout the day B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ consisting of both age and ability level categories B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ and culminates in the elite championship races starting at 2:15 p.m.

A criterium is a bicycle race that involves riding multiple laps on an enclosed circuit. Competitors race in a group and achieve speeds beyond 50 km/h while negotiating tight turns. Music and race announcers provide entertainment as well as play-by-play commentary.

The event is a continuation of more than 30 years of bicycle racing history in the capital city starting with the Bastion Square Grand Prix (1992-2008) and the Robert Cameron Law Cycling Series (2010-2019), according to a news release.

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It has spearheaded and complemented the professional cycling careers of some of CanadaB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s top Victoria-based cyclists, including Rob Britton, Ryder Hesjedal, Gillian Carlton, Alison Sydor, Melanie McQuaid, Riley Pickrell and Sara Van Dam.

This yearB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s event includes a kids bicycle skill zone, youth race, bicycle polo tournament, beer garden and a classic bike show.

Cycle polo is a team sport similar to the traditional sport except players ride bikes instead of horses. Two teams of three use mallets to get a small ball into a goal and games last roughly 10 to 15 minutes. The Capital City Classic bicycle polo runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Belleville and Menzies streets.

The classic bike show B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ open to bicycles that meet the requirements of a collector or vintage bicycle usually 25 or older B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ runs at the Fairmont Empress from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cycling BC Hop On For Kids expo, where kids can learn some new bike skills with certified instructors and a challenge course, runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front lawn of the legislature.

Criterium races roll 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find the full schedule at .



About the Author: Greater Victoria B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ· Staff

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