Allstream continues this year as presenting sponsor, working alongside Global Relay to bring the Gastown Grand Prix to Vancouver.

“When Global Relay brought back the bike race, we felt it was a perfect opportunity to join them in supporting not only the athletes who compete in the event, but also the community,” noted Larry Goerzen, Allstream’s VP of Sales for Western Canada.

In fact, Allstream has been in Gastown since 1967. After almost fifty years in the area, they have a long history in the neighbourhood and are deeply connected to its future.

“We find it’s the perfect location for our Vancouver offices and our staff love the atmosphere.”

As the wheels start turning tonight, you’ll find the Allstream team cheering on the Trek Red Truck Racing Team. This is the third year that they’ve sponsored the group, led by Steve Engh.

“Steve does a terrific job with these young athletes and we’re proud to support their efforts.”

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Allstream is the only Canadian owned national communications company working exclusively with business customers. Providing voice, data and internet services, they help Canadian businesses to improve collaboration and increase productivity. All services run on their secure national network, built and managed using advanced IP and fibre technologies.

Starting at 5:45 pm, the Gastown Grand Prix will go live with streaming footage of the race available worldwide. The footage will be shot in HD with six cameras and managed centrally from the Global Relay headquarters located above the start/finish line.

There will be pre-race interviews with racers and race officials and all the thrilling race action. There will be noise, speed, sprints and mayhem of top-level North American crit racing, along with the signature hairpin turn, the bricks, the noise, and the charm of the historic Gastown Grand Prix course.

You’ll get it all from the starting gun to the spray of champagne from the podium.

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RIDERS TO WATCH

New up-and-coming cyclists are competing in this year’s race giving local underdogs a chance to earn a spot at the podium. Keep an eye out Alison Jackson of Abbotsford. Trek Red Truck team members Denise Ramsden (Vancouver) and Leah Guloien (Port Moody) are also ones to watch.

The women’s criterium has a record number of registered cyclists. The winning rider will add their name to a new trophy (left), which, like the Stanley Cup, has grown taller with the addition of some new rings to accommodate the names of future winners.

WHERE TO CATCH THE RACING ACTION

Because the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix is a criterium (circuit-style race), virtually any position along the race route will provide an excellent position to watch the riders complete lap after lap of this challenging course. There are some great patios around if you want to drink and grab a bite during the race and the turn and Maple Tree Square is sure to be quite exciting!
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Restaurant patios along the race course

Water Street Café – 300 Water Street

131 Water Kitchen & Bar – 131 Water Street

Smart Mouth Café – 131 Water Street

The Flying Pig – 102 Water Street

Old Spaghetti Factory – 53 Water Street

Peckinpah – 2 Water Street

Secret Location – 1 Water Street

Chill Winston – 3 Alexander Street


Six Acres
 – 203 Carrall Street

Vera’s Burgers – 213 Carrall Street

The Blarney Stone – 216 Carrall Street

L’Abattoir – 217 Carrall Street

Cork & Fin – 221 Carrall Street

The Diamond – 6 Powell Street


Bambo Café
 – 301 W. Cordova Street

Brioche – 401 W. Cordova Street

The Charles Bar – 136 W. Cordova Street

Tuc Craft Kitchen – 60 W. Cordova Street

The Cambie Pub – 300 Cambie Street

Be here early to get a table. The first race gets underway at 5:30pm, and select restaurants are offering race day specials to celebrate the event. For more Gastown Grand Prix race day details, click here

See you at the race!