Volunteers, participants and sponsors are sought for the second annual PoCo Grand Prix, the biggest cycling race happening in downtown Port Coquitlam on July 14.
The BC Superweek event needs about 200 volunteers to handle athlete accommodation as well as install fencing and signage around the 1.3-km course. Helpers are also required as course marshals and pace vehicle drivers, and for event set-up and take-down as well as for the Norco Bicycles kids' race and kids' zone, spectator engagement, the VIP experience, beer garden, fundraising and expo trade show.
To apply, go online at pocograndprix.ca/volunteer. Email questions to [email protected].
Meanwhile, Tri-City families are also asked to provide a bed, shower and bike storage for one or more of the athletes between July 8 and 17. Visit pocograndprix.ca to offer a place.
The PoCo Grand Prix women’s and men’s professional races will go from 6:45 p.m. to 9:20 p.m.
As for amateur cyclists, participants are asked to sign up for the corporate challenge and Norco Bicycles' Kids' Race, which run at 3:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., respectively.
Business teams of four are encouraged to be part of the recreational, competitive or women's races along the same 1.3-km track as the professionals. Registration is $1,000 a team by calling 604-927-7900 or visiting pocograndprix.ca.
And kids aged five to 12 — of which about 500 took part in last year's inaugural event — can join for free. There will be two divisions: Those aged five to eight will loop once on the track while youth aged nine to 12 will go around twice. To register, visit experienceit.ca (5-8 years: bar code #22554, 9-12 years: #22555).
Sponsors can also get on board with cash and in-kind donations as well as join the expo trade show.
The Tri-City News is the event media sponsor while Dominion Lending Centre is the presenting sponsor. Gold-level sponsorships has already been secured from: Westwood Cycle, Norco Bicycles, Samz Pub, Phoenix Truck and Crane and The Giggle Dam Dinner Theatre. Call Graham Danziger at 604-927-5218 or email [email protected].
Mark Ernsting, race director for BC Superweek — which also includes Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix, Tour de Delta, New West Grand Prix, Giro di Burnaby and Tour de White Rock — said many of the 250 riders who were in Port Coquitlam last year will be back.
"The PoCo Grand Prix more than proved itself in its inaugural year," he said in a news release. "We’ve been seeing a lot of interest from both new and returning riders from around the world who want to be part of this event in 2017."
