Over 150 cyclists from across eastern Canada took park in the Ontario Cup Criterium Finale in Cobourg on Saturday, August 11, 2018.
There were five races from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the 1.2 kilometre course that took in King, Third, Albert and Bagot Street course.
Most of the races involved approximately 35 laps around the course. There were thrills and spills on the course from racers along with a more than a few close calls from pedestrians who crossed the streets when racers were close by.
Performance Drive Events organized the events and President Greg Rawson spoke with Today’s Northumberland during the days racing.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with not only the municipal staff, but with the Cobourg Police Department. They’ve been unbelievably accommodating when it comes to the contribution of resources to make this race happen.”
Without the help from the municipality and police service, Rawson said the race would never have happened.
The racers quickly came up with a name for the course calling it “the drag strip.”
“Usually a criterium course is square, where this is a long rectangle with quick turns and a drag race.”
The goal is to make this an annual event.
“It’s unprecedented for the Town of Cobourg, they’ve never had a downtown criterium like this before. It takes time to grow an event. One of the reasons why we strategically placed the race where it is in the proximity of the Farmer’s Market because we are hoping to get people who may be visiting the Market and seeing the race who otherwise wouldn’t have known about it.”
From a financial standpoint Rawson said the first year was “challenging.”
“This event was 100 percent funded by the participants who are racing. We’re hoping to bring the event back, but a big component of that will be getting a few key sponsors on board.”
Local racers Ian McKelvey and Janet Baitley also competed in the races.
For full photo gallery click http://nesphotos.zenfolio.com/p323718062
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
