The Innisfail stage of the second annual Tour of Alberta was a resounding success with nearly 120 professional cyclists bursting from the gates with a shotgun start amidst cheers from the enthusiastic crowd.
Tour of Alberta officials, volunteers, and members of the community who came out to watch the professional cyclists embark on an 145-kilometre ride from Innisfail to Red Deer were impressed with the community's response to the world-class event.
“It all came together very well,” said Tammy Oliver-McCurdie, operations coordinator for the Tour of Alberta Innisfail stop.
Prior to the starting gun, Innisfailians and spectators from Calgary, Olds, Claresholm and Sundre took part in a street fair that included a pancake breakfast, a children's' bouncy castle, animals from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre, and a mini car show.
“I'm a cyclist from Red Deer and had to come out and watch this great event,” said Robert Reid. “Highway 2A is well known among bike enthusiasts as a great training ground and this just might put Innisfail on the map as a bike tourist destination.”
Innisfail singer, Denver Daines sang O'Canada to close off the opening ceremony as Allan Parsons' Sirius set the stage for the starting gun, which sent the cyclists on their double loop around town and off towards Sylvan Lake.
As the final cyclist rode towards Sylvan Lake, the lingering crowd celebrated an event that sent images of Innisfail around the cycling world.
