Tour of Alberta explained

Tour of Alberta
Date:September
Region:Alberta, Canada
Localnames:The Tour
Nickname:Canada's Race
Discipline:Road
Competition:UCI America Tour
Type:Stage race
Organiser:Alberta Peloton Association
Director:Duane Vienneau
Number:5 (as of 2017)
Mostwins:No repeat winners

The ATB Tour of Alberta was a Canadian bicycle stage race, which raced across the province of Alberta. It was sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and was part of the UCI America Tour. It was classified as a 2.1 race, making it one of the highest rated races on the tour.[1] The inaugural tour featured a prologue and five stages, and was held September 3–8, 2013.

On February 15, 2018 the Alberta Peloton Association announced that the event was being cancelled.[2]

History

The Tour of Alberta was the brainchild of former professional cyclist Alex Steida, who was the first North American cyclist to wear the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France. After moving to Edmonton, Steida felt that the local geography and the ability of residents to "roll up their sleeves and get stuff done" made the province an ideal place for a multi-stage race and he spent nearly a decade promoting the idea.[3] The idea began to take shape in 2012 when proponents secured support from the Rural Alberta Development Fund, which believed such a race could promote the province to a world audience.[4] The proposed race was sanctioned by UCI in late 2012 and given a 2.1 classification, making it one of the highest rated events on the UCI America Tour.

Classifications

The race had six individual classifications, and the leader in each wore a special jersey in similar fashion to the Tour de France:[5]

Results

General classification

Year 1st placeTeam2nd placeTeam3rd placeTeam
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

Other classifications

Year Sprints Mountains Young rider Canadian rider Teams
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Babin . Tom . Tour of Alberta bike race holds a lot of potential | Calgary Herald . Calgary Herald . 2012-12-17 . 2013-08-28.
  2. Web site: Ramsay . Caley . Tour of Alberta calling it quits due to economic conditions, funding concerns . . 2018-02-15 . 2018-02-15.
  3. News: Cowley . Norm . Edmonton's Alex Stieda shifted Tour of Alberta into gear . Edmonton Journal . 2013-08-30 . 2013-09-04.
  4. Book: The journey to the Tour of Alberta . Official Event Guide . Tour of Alberta . 2013 . 10–11.
  5. Book: Official race jerseys . Official Event Guide . Tour of Alberta . 2013 . 19.