We say 'farewell' to the New West Grand Prix

A city spokesperson says there are no plans for the race to return

Author

Ria Renouf
March 03, 2023

If you’ve been waiting to hear when the New West Grand Prix (NWGP) will be taking place—it turns out it won’t be happening this year.

In fact, it’s been called off for the foreseeable future, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the City of New Westminster.

The news comes a day after BC Superweek confirmed that the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix would be coming back—with a line at the bottom acknowledging other cities that have hosted similar races.

“BC Superweek organizers would like to thank the cities of Delta, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, and White Rock for their support of the series over the years,” the last line of the media release reads.

When we reached out to BC Superweek about the New West race, we were directed to reach out to the city for an answer.

The NWGP hasn’t happened since 2019, with the 2020 and 2021 editions cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The BC Superweek series also went on hiatus in 2022, in the hopes of returning to full strength this year.

“The events that make up BC Superweek require significant planning and resources, and as communities continue to navigate the impacts of the pandemic, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in regards to event sponsorship and international travel for race participants,” the March 22, 2022 release reads.

NWGP races have usually included a mass start and a 935-metre circuit. More than 200 professional cyclists race through what's been called one of the toughest courses in the series. You may have spotted the cyclists zipping along Columbia Street, then going up the hill on Eighth Street, turning right onto Carnarvon Street, and finally making their way down Sixth Street.—and anywhere from 45-55 times, depending on the race category.

There were races for men, women, and youth aged 12 to 16.

The last winner of the NWGP in the men’s category was Florenz Knauer from Germany; he’s actually a three-time NWGP champion. Alison Jackson of Alberta was the most recent winner of the top prize for the women.