Global InformationGastown Grand Prix information
 | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | July 10, 2019 |
| Region | Gastown, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (North America) |
| Discipline | Road |
| Type | Criterium |
| Organiser | Global Relay |
| Web site | www |
| History | |
| First edition | 1973 |
| Editions | 34 (as of 2017) |
| First winner |  Bill Wild (Canada) |
| Most wins | Ron Hayman (Canada) (3 wins) Verna Buhler (Canada) (3 wins) Gina Grain (Canada) (3 wins) |
| Most recent |  Eric Young (USA) Kendall Ryan (USA) |
The Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is a criterium cycling race held in Gastown, the oldest neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The race is part of BC Superweek, a series of nine races held over 10 days in July in the greater Vancouver area.
Founded by a local dentist and bike racer, Roger Sumner, in 1973,[1] the Gastown Grand Prix regularly attracted professional riders from across the continent along with crowds of 20,000 to 30,000 spectators.
Following an eight-year hiatus from 1994 to 2001, the race returned in 2002 as the Tour de Gastown, running until 2008 before once again stopping due to lack of sponsorship.[2]
On January 27, 2012, Global Relay, a Gastown-based technology services firm announced that it would be Title Sponsor and Operator of the race for five years through 2016.[3] The 29th edition of the race took place on July 11, 2012.[4] It featured the largest winning prizes of any criterium in North America, with $40,000 in total prizes, including $15,000 to the top finishing male rider and $8,000 to the top female.[5] 2013's race marked the 40th anniversary since the first race in 1973, and featured an increased total prize purse of $50,000.[6]
- ^ "Gastown was never like this!". The Vancouver Sun. July 23, 1973.
- ^ "Popular B.C. cycling race to make a comeback this year". The Province. April 11, 2002.
- ^ "Global Relay Brings Bicycle Racing Back to Gastown for 2012 and Beyond" (Press release). Global Relay. January 27, 2012. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ Kendra Wong (February 2, 2012). "Renowned bike race returns". Metro Vancouver. Metronews.ca. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ "Story - Sports". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
- ^ Gauthier, Jennifer. (July 11, 2013) In Pictures: Gastown Grand Prix | Metro. Metronews.ca. Retrieved on 2014-04-12.