It is less than three weeks and counting until the local Vancouver Island Performance Youth Racing Squad (VIPYRS) hosts the inaugural B.C. Provincial Youth Road Cycling Championships June 8-9 at a number of locations in the Comox Valley.
The race, which is the first of its kind for B.C. youth road cyclists, consists of three provincial championships – a road race in the Dove Creek area on the morning of Saturday, June 8, followed by a hill climb race up the Mt. Washington Parkway later that afternoon. The event then moves to downtown Courtenay on Sunday, June 9 for a closed course criterium race. The race is expected to attract the best youth (ages 10 -18) road cyclists in B.C., and is attracting racing teams from as far away as the Yukon Territory and Washington State.
In preparation for the provincial championships, a number of the VIPYRS team travelled to Enumclaw, Washington for the 18th annual Mutual of Enumclaw Stage Race May 18-19. The team raced well against tough U.S. and Canadian competition, with Jess Reynolds of Seal Bay sweeping the time trial, criterium and road race stages en route to a gold medal in the (overall) general classification.
Mark Grant of Merville started the race with a victory in the time trial and was particularly dominant in the criterium race, leading nearly every lap. Mark finished with the silver medal in the general classification. Other young VIPYR riders James Grant and Brodie Hay tested their mettle against adult riders in advanced categories and acquitted themselves very well.
On June 8-9, everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the racing and meet the athletes –be sure to make a lot of noise in support of our local riders! Anyone wishing to get involved as a volunteer with the event should contact the VIPYRS at their website at www.vipyrsracing.com.
– Vancouver Island Performance Youth Racing Squad