This September, Red Deer will be a part of an event that is unlike any event Alberta has ever seen, officials say.

The inaugural Tour of Alberta marks Canada’s first major international professional cycling race, and the province’s first taste of the growing global sport of cycling.

“We are honoured to be a part of this inaugural event,” said Mayor Morris Flewwelling. “Never before has a peloton of bikes sped through our downtown. The race and festival will be an opportunity to take in all our downtown has to offer.”

Red Deer will be a part of Stage two of the event on Sept. 5.

The cyclists will be starting in Devon and finishing in Red Deer. Riders will enter Red Deer on Hwy. 11 to 30 Ave., then turn south on 30th to Ross St.

Heading west on Ross St. they will enter the downtown loop at the corner of Ross St. and 40th Ave.

Riders will complete the loop three times. Racers are often traveling upwards of 75km on the sprints or flats into the finish line. The finish line will be in downtown Red Deer (50 St. between 47 & 48 Ave).

“You can’t have a finish line without a party and Red Deer’s finish line festival will be an event you don’t want to miss,” said Liz Taylor, executive director, Red Deer Tourism. “It will be a great downtown party featuring food, culture, entertainment and fitness.”

The race will temporarily close select roads in and around Red Deer’s downtown area. The finish line and festival area is Ross St. from 47 Ave. to 49 Ave.

This area will be closed starting at 12 p.m., Sept. 4th until midnight Sept. 5th.

Several other downtown roads will also be closed during the race. A full list of road closures and maps can be found on the City’s web site.

The Tour of Alberta is scheduled for Sept. 3–8 throughout the province.

This world-class event is estimated to travel more than 800 km of urban and rural Alberta roads and will include more than 50 communities. The event will feature more than 15 of the world’s top teams, including teams that competed in the Tour de France earlier this summer.

Many volunteers are still needed to successfully host this event. Residents interested can register online at www.tourofalberta.ca and the Red Deer Volunteer Coordinator through Red Deer Tourism will contact you.

For more information, visit www.reddeer.ca/tourofalberta or www.facebook.com/tourofalbertareddeer.

-Weber