Today (Friday, September 6), Drumheller is getting a chance to shine on an international stage when the Tour of Alberta races through town.
Mayor Terry Yemen attended the first day of racing in Edmonton earlier this week and is expecting an exciting day in Drumheller.
“It’s very exciting. I didn’t know much about the international biking scene before, but being up here and seeing the fan support is like being at the Superbowl,” said Yemen. “It’s incredible they’re coming through Alberta and Drumheller.”
The racers are some of the best in the world. Including, Peter Sagan, who won Stage 1 on Wednesday and the prologue the day before.
Yemen was at Winston Churchill Square in Edmonton for the prologue race and, though the race itself is exciting to watch, noted everything else the Tour of Alberta has to offer.
“There’s a whole carnival atmosphere that comes with it, so it’s going to be a great day for Drumheller,” said Yemen.
It is expected the racers will start arriving in Drumheller between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for their first pass through town. The racers will descend into the valley on Highway 9 South, then travel north on to 5th Street East and Riverside Drive. From there, they head on to Gordon Taylor Bridge and north out of town on Highway 9/56.
The race then turns west past Morrin and loops back to Drumheller via Highways 837 and 575, past Nacmine.
The race then turns into Newcastle on 12 Street West, then east on to Newcastle Trail and 3rd Avenue. The final leg will go from 3rd Avenue to Railway Avenue East, to 5th Street East and Riverside Drive, and finish in front of the Badlands Community Facility.
The hope is the Tour of Alberta will draw more international visitors next year.
“It’s really going to put us on the world map. Maybe next year we’ll get more international bikers through here, instead of going from Calgary to Banff,” said Yemen. “What a great way to end a summer.”
Everyone is encouraged to come and cheer the racers as they go through Drumheller and then attend the festival at the Badlands Community Facility.
The Tour of Alberta will be passing through Drumheller twice today. First, the racers come down Highway 9 South, head north along 5th Street East and Riverside Drive, and then out of town on Highway 9/56. They loop around and return to Drumheller on Highway 575 and then wind their way through Newcastle and downtown, before finish in front of the Badlands Community Facility.
