Organisers of the 2011 BC Bike Race have confirmed that Team Bulls rider Thomas Dietsch will travel to Canada to compete in the event, which gets underway in Vancouver next month.
The Frenchman will be joined at the race by another European rider with Italy’s Marzio Daho (Team Olympia) also preparing to take part in his first BC Bike race.
The two will take on reigning Champion Chris Sheppard of the Rocky Mountain Bikes team. Sheppard, who has claimed solo and team titles at his home race, has been participating in cross-country rounds of the UCI World Cup in order to reach Vancouver in top shape to defend his title.
Sheppard’s compatriot, Cory Wallace, will also take the line. Wallace was a stand out performer at last year’s Crocodile Trophy in Australia, where he finished 5th overall. The former Trans Rockies winner will be a marked man in British Columbia. The race will also feature Jason Sager (Team Jamis) who, after winning the Trans Andes, will add even further stage-racing pedigree to the field.
Course Director Andreas Hestler expressed the race organisation’s satisfaction with the quality field they have been able to attract to Vancouver this year.
“We are very much looking forward to having all these accomplished athletes attend this year’s event,” Hestler said. “All of these athletes are top-tier competitors, but more importantly they are friendly guys and cycling ambassadors who will enjoy the experience and share their passions with the other participants.”
The 2011 BC Bike Race gets underway on July 2 and will finish on July 9.