Quebec City and Baie-Comeau are ready to hold the UCI Para-cycling World Cup and UCI Para-cycling World Championships within the space of 10 days. It takes some organising. Just ask organiser, Ian Beaulieu…
Canada is set to play host to two of the biggest para-cycling events of 2022 this month, beginning with the final round of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Cup in Quebec City from 4 to 7 August. Just one week later (11-14 August), are the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau. It’s set to be an incredible double-bill of world-class para-cycling action. Here, we catch up with Ian Beaulieu, President of Gestion SPACT, who’s involved in organising not one but both events…
How did Canada end up hosting two prestigious events in quick succession?
Ian Beaulieu: Our organisation was founded in 2018 and we immediately set about organising Baie-Comeau UCI Para-cycling World Cups in 2018 and 2019. It was during that period that we started talking to the UCI about hosting the UCI World Championships, which Baie-Comeau first held back in 2010.
We then thought it would work well, both for the athletes and commercially, if Canada was to host the final round of the UCI World Cup, too. The UCI asked if we were up to it, we said yes and here we are.
It’s been full-on with the UCI World Championships since October and the UCI World Cup since January. We’ve had to ensure we’re especially prepared for the latter as it’s the first time Quebec City’s hosted a round of the UCI World Cup.
There are many logistics to organising races of this magnitude. Can you elaborate on one of the toughest, please?
IB: Well, road closures can be tricky but our involvement’s quite different between the two events. In Quebec City, we do very little as they have a department for big events like this. Yes, we work with them to ensure all is good for the athletes and the UCI but essentially it’s down to them. In Baie-Comeau, we take care of everything. We have to create a plan, inform the police and recruit all of the volunteers. The city works with us, but we’re charged with sorting.
Volunteers are vital for the smooth running of any event. Presumably this is no different in Canada?
IB: They are essential to look after the 300-plus athletes and ensure things run well. We recruit some volunteers from local cycling clubs, but the majority are from the local area who just love para-cycling racing. We tend to follow a similar pattern of looking for volunteers from three months out and finalising them three weeks before!
The spectators clearly have a part to play, too?
IB: Of course. Baie-Comeau has a long tradition in this sport, and athletes and the UCI are always surprised just how many people come out to watch. We are a small city with knowledgeable fans who understand the categories and style of racing. They create a unique atmosphere. Obviously this is a new event for Quebec City but we’re hoping for similar support.
There are many different bikes used in the time trial and road race categories, from handcycles to tandems. Do you have specialist mechanics?
IB: It’s hard to find mechanics who are solely trained for these bikes but they’re talented enough to sort any bike. For the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships, the mechanics will be from Shimano (a UCI World Cycling Partner), which is possible thanks to their collaboration with the UCI. For the UCI Para-cycling World Cup, we’ll use a local neutral service.
Which athletes and races are you most looking forward to?
IB: In handbiking we have a huge racer called Charles Moreau who’s from near Quebec City. We’re excited to see him race at a high level in front of home crowds.
I’m also really looking forward to the tandem. They go really fast, maybe faster than regular bikes.
What about your own background, how did you become involved in para-cycling?
IB: I raced mountain bike when I was younger and after that I competed on the Adventure Racing World Cup circuit for Canada. So I have an athletic background but then I became a businessman. I have businesses in Baie-Comeau including sports retail and clothing retail, plus race organising. Years ago I was race director – a volunteer – for a big marathon in Baie-Comeau. I was asked if I’d be interested in organising para-cycling events and that was it, really. It takes up around 15% of my time and is a lot of fun.
Finally, anything else you’d like to add about these two great races?
IB: We’re proud to have live coverage of the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships in Baie-Comeau. We’ll be live from the team relay at the end of Friday afternoon and live Saturday and Sunday for the road races. We’ll be on our website and CBC will be showing it worldwide.