The BC Bike Raceis hotting up this year ahead of kick off on 2 July as France’s Thomas Dietsch, Team BULLS and Italy’s Marzio Daho confirm their participation.

Defending his 2010 title will be Canadian Chris Sheppard. These three highly accomplished athletes have palmares that cover many events, years and disciplines, which will make for an exciting race.  

Last year’s winner, Chris Sheppard, has won both the team (with Seamus McGrath) and solo titles at BCBR and is currently the reigning Canadian National Cyclo-Cross Champion. Sheppard has raced World Cups to great success and is very much looking forward this year’s shake out at BC Bike Race. 

Marzio Daho, winner of Trans Rockies 2008 and the Mongolian Bike Challenge 2010, has accumulated more than 280 wins in a career spanning 20 years. He shows no signs of slowing down and will bring his winning ways to bear on the 2011 BC Bike Race. 

Thomas Dietsch, World Cup winner in 2007 and silver medalist at the Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in 2008, has multiple French national titles and is excited to pit his skills against the challenge of British Columbia’s legendary trails.

The experience and European exposure that Daho and Dietsch bring to BC Bike Race will focus a brighter international spotlight on what is quickly becoming one of the world’s greatest mountain bike challenges.

Other contenders who will be entering the ring come July 2 will be; Jason Sager, Team Jamis recent winner of the Trans Andes and Cory Wallace Team Kona, who racked up an impressive 5th place at the Crocodile Trophy last fall.

 “We are very much looking forward to having all these accomplished athletes attend this year’s event, the fifth running.  All of these athletes are top tier competitors, but more importantly they are friendly guys and cycling ambassadors who will enjoy the experience and share their passions with the other participants,” commented Andreas Hestler, BCBR Course Director.

Since the World Cups on Grouse Mountain circa 2001-2003 there has been a dearth of European horse power in BC; that will all change July 2-9. More at www.bcbikerace.com