The Race is on - GIRO RBC GranFondo Whistler 2011
RBC GranFondo Whistler is the largest GranFondo in Canada. In its second year, the 122 km ride, from Vancouver to Whistler, will bring more than 7,000 riders plus their families to the Sea to Sky Corridor. Riders will start their ride in downtown Vancouver, travel over the Lions Gate Bridge and up Taylor Way to Highway 99, finishing in Whistler.
Competitive cyclists will start ahead of the GranFondo event in a division called the Giro. For the licensed racer, this timed category will see riders compete over the same 122 km in a dedicated lane width on a closed course. The race finishes with a sprint to the finish located at the Whistler Olympic Plaza.
Racers will compete for a share of a $12,000 prize purse. The top 3 finishers in 2010 were:
Men (3 way tie all -Cat 1) Women
Andrew Pinfold 3 hours, 14:29 Leah Guloier (Cat 1) 3 hours, 44:19
Nic Hamilton 3hours, 14:29 Leah Kirchmann (Cat 2) 3 hours, 44:20
Tim Abercrombie 3 hours, 14:29 Claire Cameron (Cat 1) 3 hours, 44:20
With competitors and teams from Canada, United States and Japan registered; spectators should be in for a treat. Cheer on local power house Trek Red Truck, racing with a full compliment of 15 riders. Local cycling aficionados will also be excited to see recently signed Pro Sabastian Salas join teammate Benjamin Chaddock (Team Exergy of Boise, Idaho) to race the twists and turns of the Sea to Sky. Designated spectator areas have been created at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver, Garibaldi Mall in Squamish and at the Finish Area in Whistler’s Olympic Park.
GranFondo’s are mass participation cycling events that have been popular in Europe for decades, and are gaining momentum in North America. The term “Giro” originates from the Giro d’Italia, an annual multi stage bike race around Italy for professionals.
Media Contact:
RBC GranFondo Whistler 2011: Kirsten Mihailides 604-618-3572 or kirst@direct.ca
http://rbcgranfondowhistler.com/; https://www.facebook.com/GranFondoCanadaWhistler
http://twitter.com/#!/granfondocanada; http://www.youtube.com/user/GranFondoCanada
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About GranFondo Canada
Founded in 2007, GranFondo Canada is an event management company committed to providing world-class cycling experiences. 2011 events include the inaugural RBC GranFondo Kelowna on July 16 and the second annual RBC GranFondo Whistler on September 10. For more information, please visit: www.granfondocanada.com.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. We employ approximately 74,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 55 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.
