More than 100 of the world’s best cyclists raced to the finish line in the final leg of the Tour of Alberta on Monday afternoon.
Stage 6, the final stage of the event, started and finished in Churchill Square after 120 riders completed a grueling 11-lap circuit that spanned 124.1 kilometres.
Cyclists peddled their way through the six-day event that began in Grande Prairie on September 2 – facing everything from snow to rain.
“The racing has been great. The guys have been battling through a lot of weather challenges but…it’s great,” said Tour director Duane Vienneau.
“We’ve had great crowds along the route and we generate an economic impact on our races anywhere from 20 to 25 million [dollars]….but overall the world gets to see our province,” he said.
According to Mayor Don Iveson the event helps puts Edmonton on the map.
“It’s been a great summer of hosting all kinds of events and once again, Edmonton’s risen to the call,” Iveson told CTV News.
“I think cumulatively we look great on TV, the feedback from athletes and sponsors and organizers has been overwhelmingly positive, and that helps us because it's good word-of-mouth out there in sports circles,” he said.
According to officials, the event, regarded as Canada’s largest and highest ranked professional road cycling stage race, drew an international audience of over 45.5 million viewers in 2014.
The Tour of Alberta follows the ITU World Triathlon on September 5 and 6, the FIBA Americas Women’s Basketball Championship in August, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in June – all held in Edmonton.
Mayor Iveson said it’s a sign of things to come.
“We've got a few things cued up in the next few years as well…some continuing track activity [and] long-term commitment around triathlon. I think we’d love to keep doing and always be one of the key stages in the Tour of Alberta as long as it runs - which I hope is forever, because this is awesome,” he explained.
For race results visit the Tour of Alberta website.
With files from Breanna Karstens-Smith
