By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Route Unveiled as Tour of Alberta 2016 Returns to Lethbridge

Jun 15, 2016 | 12:00 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The route has been unveiled for the Lethbridge stage of the Tour of Alberta 2016.

The race – which will be televised in 161 countries – will see 120 elite cyclists from around the world travel 107-km, doing nine laps of a circuit that begins and ends at Galt Gardens on September 1.

It will get underway at 5 pm at Galt Gardens, with competitors going north on Scenic Drive to Peenaquim Park and then back out of the river valley to return downtown. It’s expected to end between 7-8 pm.

Chair of the local organizing committee, Chris Witkowski, noted that it’s significant to have the race back in Lethbridge, especially after the challenges they faced last time it was here in 2014.

“The weather was so bad, so cold and so wet, and a lot of the events we had planned had to be cancelled,” explained Witkowski. “But the tour showed that we had a lot of promise to host this if the weather would cooperate, and they were just really jazzed to bring us back for 2016.”

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In addition to the race, Witkowski says they have plans to bring Lethbridge residents closer to the action.

“We are looking to do some sort of event with the pro riders, we will have access to the pros one of the nights, so we are looking to do an event with them where they’ll be present where we can do an autograph session, meet the pros. We are looking at maybe trying to get a team bus out there, just so people can see what their life is like on the road.”

A festival will also be taking place on race day at Galt Gardens. It will feature activities for children, stage performances, a beer garden, vendor booths and a stage with a big screen where you can watch the race live as it goes through the city.

About 225 volunteers are needed for the event, and you can get involved by visiting tourofalberta.ca.

Business sponsors are also encouraged to contact Jillian Chaffee at 403-942-3254.