Framework Racing will host the 4th annual Cape Breton Classic bicycle race this weekend

Dozens of aspiring semi-pro and amateur cyclists from across Atlantic Canada are expected to compete for top honours and cash prizes in what’s expected to be an exciting two-day, three-stage finish to Bicycle Nova Scotia’s 2012 road racing circuit.

This year’s Cape Breton Classic will not only award top winners in eight divisions – including three youth divisions – it will also crown the overall winner of the Atlantic Series Championships which involves some of the fastest cyclists from competitions held in Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island earlier this summer. The Cape Breton Classic is Nova Scotia’s event and the last to award points in the Atlantic Series Championships.

“Framework Racing is so proud to bring the highly competitive sport of bike racing to Cape Breton Island again this year,” said Bill Goldston, president of the Sydney-based not-for-profit bicycle club.

“We know from previous experience that islanders will welcome visitors and lend their support to local and visiting cyclists…cheering them on, and being on the lookout for them while sharing respective roadways near all race routes.”

Like previous years, the Cape Breton Classic will offer three races within the race over two days with the first event kicking off Saturday afternoon. Starting at 1 pm, all cyclists will start one-by-one and complete a fast-paced 10 km time trial against the clock using a stretch of highway in Point Edward near the entrance of the Sydport Industrial Park.

Once the clock stops and competitors have finished the first stage, the action will move to the former Sydney Steel site for the Sysco Crit where the fastest cyclists who finish up to 25 laps of the block surrounding the Steelman’s Memorial Park will win cash and points.

The third and arguably, most difficult stage, is the long distance road race set for the George’s River area on Sunday. Starting at 9 am, cyclists in five adult divisions and three youth categories will travel up to 120 kilometres, starting from the George’s River fire hall and tackling some of the most breathtaking areas of the island, including the steep Barrachois Mountain along the Grand Narrows Highway and Long Island Road below it on the shoreline of the Great Bras d’Or.

“Our hills and roadways will challenge the skills and endurance of all riders,” said Goldston, owner of Framework Cycle & Fitness, main corporate sponsor of the Framework Racing team. “This event will showcase the talents of local athletes who not only compete for our team here at home but travel around the world representing the island because of their love for bike racing.”

Framework Racing was formed in 2009 to promote bicycle racing as a safe and highly competitive sport, creating the Cape Breton Classic which continues annually as the only bike race on Cape Breton Island sanctioned by the governing Bicycle Nova Scotia. In its off time, Framework Racing is the only bicycle club that promotes bike safety by offering free training opportunities year round to all recreational and competitive cyclists including regular organized group rides for mountain bikers and road riders.

Other funding and support to this year’s race has been provided by the federal Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, the Steel Centre Credit Union, Dignity Memorial and Nova Scotia Lands.