The clang of cowbells will sound once again in downtown Port Coquitlam.
Friday, the core 鈥� between Shaughnessy Street and Mary Hill Road, and Wilson to Elgin avenues 鈥� will close at 1:45 p.m. for the , a cycling race that鈥檚 part of the BC Superweek series now happening around Metro Vancouver.
Starting at 3:15 p.m. with the elite men鈥檚 race (category 3/4), visitors will see more than 150 male and female riders loop the 1.3-km road track to compete for titles and cash prizes totalling $15,000.
But this year鈥檚 event is different from the past two races as it will begin later in the afternoon and wrap up at 11 p.m.
Co-director Glenn Mitzel, a city of PoCo recreation manager, said it鈥檚 the first time in BC Superweek history that it鈥檒l host a night race. 鈥淲e wanted to create a unique experience to make it different from the other series鈥� races,鈥� he said.
鈥淚t has been a vision for some time to have one of the BC Superweek partners host a night criterium. The PoCo Grand Prix was a perfect fit,鈥� added co-director Mark Ernsting, in a news release.
The later time slot is also in response to past criticism from downtown retailers who complained about the loss of business. Over the past year, organizers worked with the Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (BIA) to spread the message about the tourist draw.
鈥淭hey understand what鈥檚 happening and know to plan for the second Friday of each July for the race,鈥� Mitzel said.
Sponsored in part by The Tri-City News, the PoCo Grand Prix attracted some 7,500 spectators to the downtown last year to watch the racers, enjoy the entertainment in Leigh Square Community Arts Village 鈥� which once again is programmed by the Giggle Dam 鈥� take part in the family fun and stroll through the Business Expo.
One of the biggest crowd-pleasers is the Norco kids鈥� race, of which the registration this year for the three- to five-year-olds sold out in two days; that division kicks off at 6 p.m. followed, 10 minutes later, by the six- to eight-year-olds and, at 6:25 p.m., the nine- to 12-year-olds.
鈥淭he kids love it because they get to ride on the same circuit as the professionals,鈥� Mitzel said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited that the kids鈥� race continues to grow in popularity as it鈥檚 a real highlight of the event,鈥� said PoCo Coun. Glenn Pollock, chair of the city鈥檚 healthy community committee, in a news release. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see more than 300 kids race like the pros through our downtown.鈥�
As well, four Tri-City mayors 鈥� Greg Moore (PoCo), Richard Stewart (Coquitlam), Mike Clay (Port Moody) and John McEwen (Anmore) 鈥� will lace up again for Telus corporate challenge at 4:15 p.m. as will four PoCo city councillors: Mike Forrest, Darrell Penner, Dean Washington and Brad West.
And though there鈥檚 less corporate sponsorship for the third year 鈥� with Cap鈥檚 Westwood Cycle being sold to Trek and that company not continuing with financial support 鈥� Mitzel said the budget will stand pat; a post-event report is due before city council this fall.
鈥� Visit for a list of race times and for parking locations.
CAN YOU HELP?
Another 50 volunteers are needed for the third annual PoCo Grand Prix to set up and take down 鈥� and for other jobs during the day.听
Roles are open for helpers aged 16 and up. Visit to sign up.
WHAT IS BC SUPERWEEK
BC Superweek is Canada鈥檚 biggest professional road cycling series and features more than $140,000 in prize money with nine races over 10 days. The series runs from July 6 to 15 and is made up of the:
鈥� Tour de Delta presented by Beedie (July 6 to 8);
鈥� New West Grand Prix (July 10);
鈥� Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix (July 11);
鈥� Giro di Burnaby presented by Appia Development (July 12);
鈥� PoCo Grand Prix presented by Dominion Lending Centres (July 13);
鈥� and Tour de White Rock presented by Landmark Premiere Properties (July 14 to 15).
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THE RACES
The schedule includes:
鈥� 3:15 to 4 p.m.: Elite men鈥檚 cycling race
鈥� 4:15 p.m.: Corporate Challenge races
鈥� 5 to 9 p.m.: Norco Bicycles Kids鈥� Zone
鈥� 6 p.m.: Norco Bicycles Kids鈥� Race
鈥� 7 p.m.: BC Superweek Youth Race
鈥� 7:50 p.m.: Pro races and awards
鈥� 11 p.m.: Event ends
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