B.C. Superweek has been super good for the Local Ride/Dr. Vie Superfoods elite women’s cycling team.
The team, with rider Jean Ann Berkenpas of Maple Ridge, launched into the province’s biggest week in competitive cycling with wins in the first two stages of the competition.
The team grabbed an overall general classification win at the Tour de Delta, thanks in large part to Berkenpas’s eighth-place finish in the 88-kilometre race on Sunday.
Teammate Steph Roorda claimed the Tour de Delta overall title after finishing second Friday in a criterium event, and winning the second criterium stage on Saturday. She secured the overall win with a second-place finish Sunday.
“The team has had an amazing showing so far this week,” said team manager Barry Lyster. “They have displayed excellent teamwork with the goal of getting Steph across the finish line first.”
At the UBC Grand Prix Tuesday, Roorda escaped from the pack and finished first with a minute to spare over her chasers. Roorda recently missed out at the Canadian Olympic trials by the slimmest of margins.
“Teammates Jean Ann Berkenpas and Lisa Howard have been integral in creating dynamic and exciting women’s competitions and helping Roorda reach the podium,” said Lyster.
Wednesday night featured the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix. The event, on hiatus for the past two years, featured a cash purse of $40,000.
Roorda and Howard finished fifth and sixth, respectively, while Berkenpas placed 28th.