Rural Alberta communities will be the stage for multi-day international cycling race and festival to be held from September 3 to 8, 2013. One of the communities to be featured will be Drumheller.
On Monday, December 17, the Rural Alberta Development Fund (RADF) Board of Directors announced they had approved $3.5 million in funding to the Alberta Peloton Association to support the inaugural Tour of Alberta, a professional cycling festival.
The race will be modelled on other international events, such as the Tour de France. The hope is the tour will bring Albertans and international visitors to rural communities in Alberta.
“The Tour of Alberta will provide a new opportunity for rural Albertans to welcome visitors to their communities and help promote a greater understanding and appreciation of rural life,” said Verlyn Olson, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This event will help raise the profile of many communities and showcase rural hospitality and the unique characteristics of our province.”
RADF funding will be used primarily to host community festivals and help local organizing committees to promote their communities the best they can. To that end, the Tour will include a multi-day festival which will provide an opportunity to rural communities to showcase themselves.
“The RADF is both proud and excited to be the founding partner to the Tour of Alberta Pro Cycling Festival,” said RADF Chair Marie Logan. “This is an investment that will reap economic and personal benefits for Albertans for years to come as it becomes an established annual cycling event and celebration.”
It is estimated as many as 16 elite cycling teams (including eight international teams), comprising 150 cyclists will participate in the event.
At this time, 16 to 18 rural communities, including Drumheller, will be part of the six day race. Of those, 10 to 12 will be selected as "official hosts" during the race.
