Posted on May 9: McMaster gears up for cycling championships

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cycling_opt.jpg” caption=”Cycling Championship”]McMaster is gearing up for two major cycling championships coming to Hamilton in June and October.

The University will remain open for both the Tim Horton's Road National Championship June 27-29 and the Road World Cycling Championships Oct. 6-12. Although routes for the bike races do not encompass either the main McMaster campus or Downtown Centre, the routing and number of visitors could have an impact on University operations.

Because of street closures and altered bus routes, some University employees may be interested in scheduling vacations for this time or arranging alternative work schedules. Such arrangements must be consistent with collective agreements, and could include use of vacation time, flexible work schedules, a personal leave day or unpaid leave of absence.

Both Hamilton boards of education will close schools for the World Championships in October.

The week-long World Championship is expected to bring up to 250,000 spectators, 800 athletes from 50 countries, 750 team support staff, 800 to 1,000 media into the region and an international television audience of 500 million. Some of the teams expected to attend will be Italy, Spain, Belgium, France, Russia, Germany, USA, Australia and the Netherlands.

A component of the World Championship is the Hamilton 2003 Cycling Festival, which received a $1.25 million Trillium Foundation grant Wednesday. This is the largest grant to be awarded by the Trillium Foundation to an organization or event. The festival will present a series of arts, cultural and entertainment events during the cycling championship in October.

Details of the race, including race routes, can be found at http://www.hamilton2003.com. Brochures with race information also are available at campus libraries, the Compass information centre in he University Student Centre or in the Office of Public Relations.

For the National Championship, Main Street will close between James and Queen during races. For the World Championships, Main Street will close between James and Queen from Oct. 4 to 12. For both races, roads will close one hour prior to the start of the first race and will reopen within one hour of the finish of the last race on each day.

Volunteers are being recruited for each event. Individuals interested in volunteering can apply for a position online using a Web based volunteer management software program at www.hamilton2003.com and clicking onto the volunteer info screen. Information contained on this screen will provide details concerning “what is required to volunteer”, “training session requirements” and “how to volunteer”.

Photo courtesy: Hamilton 2003 Cycling Championships brochure