Ellen van Loy. © Jozef Cooreman
Can’t wait another six months for cyclocross season to return? Then you’re in luck! On April 27th you can take part in the infamous point-to-point cyclocross race, Paris to Ancaster, held in Ontario, Canada. Located about an hour from Toronto, the race is very near the borders of Michigan, Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.
Inspired by the infamous cobble-riddled European Spring classics event Paris-Roubaix, the Paris-Ancaster (P2A) has taken place for the last twenty years over the roughest farm lanes, trails and gravel roads they could find. Combined with unpredictable spring weather and the largest field of riders assembled in Canada, P2A has become a classic race experience for everyone from first timers to seasoned racers.
Jeremy Powers at Worlds. © Jozef Cooreman
Cyclists who are joining in on the fun include cyclocrossers Belgian Telenet-Fidea rider Ellen van Loy (currently sixth in UCI and World Cup rankings), USA National Champion Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus), Cyclocross Magazine columnist and three-time Worlds racer Christine Vardaros (Team STEVENS – T. Strong Transportation), Justin Lindine (Redline-NBX), three-time P2A winner and Canadian Worlds Team member Mike Garrigan (Van Dessel/Shimano), JAM Fund/NCC’s Anthony Clark, as well as Canadian’s U23 cross-country champion Mitch Bailey and Canadian MTB/’cross/enduro all-rounder Peter Glassford (Trek Canada) and many more.
Choose from a wide variety of categories such as age groups from “U10” through to “70+” or jump in their “mixed teams,” “singlespeed” or “Clydesdales” category.
In addition, P2A offers an “Olympic Experience VIP” package presented by Neworld Cycle where the cyclist will be treated to the full VIP treatment – your chance to be pampered like a pro! Proceeds from the purchases of these VIP packages will be donated to the Milton Pan Am Velodrome Fund. Help us develop the Olympians of tomorrow.
Olympic Experience VIP includes:
- Preferred seeding with the Elite start wave of the 70km P2A. No need to line up early, we’ll save you a premium start line spot
- Dedicated pre-race bus and bike truck service.
- Reserved parking at both the Start and Finish line.
- Pre-race mechanical services if required.
- 2013 custom limited edition P2A swag bag with oodles of cool swag.
- Pre-race soigneur services including race food, energy gels and energy drinks, warm up tent, trainer, embrocation, espresso/coffee and snacks.
- Post-race soigneur services including massage and reserved health club shower facilities.
- Post-race valet bike wash courtesy of Red Hill Car Wash.
Discounted early bird registration for all events ends March 31st. But if you miss this deadline, you can still register up until Wednesday April 23, 2014 at 11:59PM [EST] OR when the available spaces are filled.
Christine Vardaros at Scheldecross 2013. © Marc van Est
All registered riders are offered free entry to the cyclocross clinics to be held the day before the race. The women’s-only clinic will be led by Christine Vardaros and Ellen van Loy, while the men’s will be led by Justin Lindine.
In addition, all registered riders are invited to join a pre-ride of the course led by current Canadian National Championship silver medalist and 2x silver medalist at P2A Aaron Schooler (Team H&R Block) just after the clinic the day before the race.
Just like in winter cyclocross racing, “de cross gaat door” (the ’cross race goes on)! Paris to Ancaster will be held rain or shine! Just bring a spare tube, pump, patch kit, rain jacket, gloves and a hunger for an experience of a lifetime!
For further information and to register, please visit http://parisancaster.com/ and follow them on Facebook
