These important modifications will appeal to new registrants and provide a fresh experience for veteran participants. No other event in North America provides such a unique experience!

VeloSpoke takes place during the package-pick up for the RBC GranFondo Whistler, Canada’s largest mass cycling event. Much like large marathon expo’s, VeloSpoke benefits from the more than 7000 GranFondo riders and is also open to the general public.

“Last year’s sold out show tells us there is a tremendous appetite for a consumer cycling show in Vancouver” says Mark Lavigne, Show Director. “Our exhibitors recognize the value of having direct access to 7000 granfondo cyclists as well as the cycling enthusiasts among the general public. Our goal is to be the biggest cycling show tied to the biggest granfondo in Canada.”

VeloSpoke will bring together up to 100 exhibitors and dozens of brands from a range of lifestyle, health, fitness and cycling brands. The show will also have some fun and interactive features including bike blender stations, a telecommunications hub, a signature photo wall and a designated sponsor zone for GranFondo Canada sponsors.

”VeloSpoke is a great opportunity for our event sponsors to meet those who are riding the RBC GranFondo Whistler and helps kickoff one of the biggest cycling weekend in Canada. Our riders have indicated that VeloSpoke was an important part of their GranFondo Whistler experience so we’re happy to partner with VeloSpoke again this year” added GranFondo Canada President and Co-Founder Kevin Thomson.

More information about VeloSpoke and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.velospoke.ca.

Click HERE for a pdf version of this press release

We’re excited to launch a refereshed face for VeloSpoke and encourage you to poke around, provide your feedback and tell us what you think.  If you have suggestions as to how we can make both our event and our site better don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us a line.

“The response from riders has been tremendous,” said Kevin Thomson, president and co-founder of GranFondo Canada. “We look forward to bringing a spectacular, community-engaging event to Banff National Park.”

The opportunity to ride the pristine scenery of Banff National Park drew registrations from near and far. Eight Canadian provinces and two territories are represented among the registered participants. Additionally, riders have registered from twelve different US States and countries as far away as the United Arab Emirates.

“As a destination that has long embraced active adventure in the Canadian Rockies, Banff National Park provides the perfect backdrop for this exciting event,” said Julie Canning, President  & CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “We look forward to welcoming cyclists from around the world to experience some of the finest, classic cycling routes the world has to offer.”

There are a limited number of spots available in the Alta Classe category, the VIP package that provides an enhanced event experience. Special perks for these participants include express check-in service, exclusive staging at the start line, a private lounge at the finish, an Official souvenir jersey and bonus gifts from premium sponsors.

Starting and finishing in Banff, the 142 km route will take cyclists into the heart of the Rockies to experience the awe-inspiring nature of Banff National Park. The inaugural event takes place on Saturday, August 25^th.

For more information on the event, visit www.rbcgranfondobanff.com

Canadian legend Steve Bauer, current owner of Team SpiderTech powered by C10, was the closest Canadian to a podium at a Grand Tour, finishing fourth at the 1988 Tour de France.

Ryder Hesjedal : “I had to fight for this Giro d’Italia. As we got off the mountain in the helicopter and as descended to Milan yesterday, I knew I still had a shot. I felt incredible on bike pre-riding and knew I could do it in the time trial.”

“The first day I pulled on the pink jersey I knew I was good and had accomplished something great. That made me go even harder. Getting compliments from my rivals gave me even more confidence. Hat’s off to them, they’re all great champions but once we were in the third week and I was doing the rides I was doing, I knew it was possible.”

“My success is down to consistent hard work and by improving a little all the time. I think I showed my ability in the 2010 Tour de France. I had problems in the 2011 Tour but I still showed my ability in the third week. I got the opportunity to focus 100% on the Giro d’Italia this year and the team said I was the designated leader. It doesn’t happen often in a rider’s career to be leader in such a prestigious event, so I came with good legs and wanted to do my very best. The team was excellent and gave it everything. I won this race day after day, by doing my best. That’ what it takes.”

On his Garmin-Barracuda teammates: “The guys were even more believing than me at some points. They gave everything. They especially proud of me and I’m especially proud of what they for me. It was great to be on the podium together as the super team of the Giro d’Italia. It’s going to be a good night…”

On the impact of his Giro d’Italia victory in Canada: “The support for me back home has been unreal. I saw one tweet about a guy going into Canada Tire and asking for the pink Garmin-Barracuda jersey…. I think people now know what’s going on at home. I think they appreciate the Giro d’Italia and I hope my win will help Canadian cycling go a long way.”

“We’re really excited to be working with Cervélo,” said Kevin Thomson, GranFondo Canada Co-Founder and President. “Their passion for innovation and excellence matches the desire that you’ll find at our events, both in the riders and the people working behind the scenes,” he added.

Phil White, Co-Founder and CEO of Cervélo echoed the sentiment. “We are thrilled to be the Official Bike Sponsor of the GranFondo Canada series. Being a Canadian-based company focused on engineering the best bikes, it’s very important to us that we support the riders and communities in our own backyard. Congratulations thus far to the organizers; the RBC GranFondo Whistler is hugely successful and we are excited to be a partner as the series grows.”

The GranFondo Canada series begins in July with the second annual RBC GranFondo Kelowna on July 14. Riders will converge on the town of Kelowna for the challenging and incredibly scenic 122 km course showcasing the spectacular sights of British Columbia’s wine country in the Okanagan Valley.

The recently announced RBC GranFondo Banff will take place on August 25. The first of its kind to take place completely within the boundaries of a national park, the inaugural event will start and finish in the beautiful mountain town of Banff, Alberta with a 142 km route that will take cyclists into the heart of the Rockies to experience the awe-inspiring nature of Banff National Park.

The third annual RBC GranFondo Whistler will take place on September 8 with 7,000 riders expected from around the world to participate in the epic 122 km ride from downtown Vancouver to Whistler resort on the famed Sea to Sky Highway.

For more information, visit www.granfondocanada.com