Speed Weekend Criterium Cycling Races coming back to downtown Kitchener and Cambridge
Fast paced, exciting, closed circuit, road cycling races are back again on Friday July 28 and Sat. July 29 with 2 Cycling Canada Sanctioned, Criterium races on downtown area roads. Billed as “Speed Weekend” by Cycle Waterloo the local organizers expect these events to be the premium downtown cycling races in Canada.
The 3rd annual Kitchener Twilight Grand Prix sponsored by Miller Thomson LLP and Grant Thornton will run on the roads around Victoria Park after taking a 1 year break due to the ION construction project in downtown Kitchener. The races will start at 2 pm on July 28 with Amateur and Professional level cyclists converging at the start finish line on Jubilee Dr. The fast paced course with hi-speed corners takes in Jubilee Dr, David St, Joseph St. and Heins Ave. before coming back onto Jubilee on the 1.3 km closed road course circuit.
There will be 5 category cycling races from Juniors’ and Masters races to Elite Pro Men and Women racing for top prizes.
Some of Canada’s top road cyclists will be battling for cash prizes and Ontario Cup points on the 1.3 km closed road course circuit. Food and a beer gardens will make this the premium cycling race destination in Ontario this summer for spectators who love the speed and exhilaration of fast paced bike racing.
Then the next day on Sat. July 29 the new “Fieldstone Criterium of Cambridge” sponsored by Grand River Cycle will navigate over 2 historic bridges in downtown Galt starting at the Mill Race Park on Water Street. The course takes in Water St. then Main St. bridge over the Grand River onto Melville St then Grand River N, then back over the Grand River on Park Hill Rd S. The Fieldstone Criterium will also be the Ontario Provincial Criterium Championships and Cycle Waterloo has organized a “Community Ride the Race Course” event starting at 1 pm. So families and area residents are encouraged to bring their bikes down and ride the course prior to when the first race starts at 2 pm.
Blake Ellis Race Director of the Speed Weekend Criterium events, states “Some of Canada’s top racers will ride in these two unique Criterium events. We expect upwards of 400+ cyclists to race in various ability based divisions and encourage spectators to come out and cheer on the racers as well as enjoy the food and beverages”.
Cycle Waterloo will have police at the various intersections that day and most of both courses will be barricaded with the roads closed all day at both locations.