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Women's road race given international sanctioning

Next year's Women's White Spot Delta Road Race has been upgraded to a 1.2 UCI sanctioned event by the international governing body of cycling, Union Cycliste International, B.C. Superweek announced earlier this month.

Next year's Women's White Spot Delta Road Race has been upgraded to a 1.2 UCI sanctioned event by the international governing body of cycling, Union Cycliste International, B.C. Superweek announced earlier this month.

"The Corporation of Delta is very excited to have the Women's White Spot Delta Road Race become a UCI 1.2 sanctioned event and join the men's race on the international cycling calendar," said Delta Mayor Lois Jackson in a news post on the Tour de Delta website.

With international sanctioning and awarding of official UCI points, the road race is expected to draw a stronger field of top professional cyclists from all over the world to the already well attended three-event Tour de Delta and the rest of the nine-race B.C. Superweek series held every July, according to the site.

"The Tour de Delta, along with all B.C. Superweek events, are committed to enhance the sport of cycling and provide the opportunity for local athletes to compete against some of the best athletes in North America and the world," said race director Mark Ernsting. "With the inclusion of the women's race into the UCI calendar, this adds significant profile to the Tour de Delta and overall series of B.C. Superweek."

In addition to top professionals, Ernsting expects more national teams to take part in an effort to earn UCI points, which are used to determine the number of entries each country gets in events like the World Championships and Olympics.

The men's road race received international sanctioning last year.

The Tour de Delta will kick off B.C. Superweek again next year by hosting three days of racing. The MK Delta Lands Criterium will be held Friday, July 4 in North Delta, the Brenco Criterium on Saturday, July 5 in Ladner and the White Spot Delta Road Race on Sunday, July 6 in Tsawwassen.