British Columbia

Gastown Grand Prix winner laps the field for $400 bonus

Denise Ramsden took such a commanding lead at the women's Gastown Grand Prix that she was nearly lost among the other cyclists after lapping over her competitors when she claimed victory at the finish line yesterday.

Canadian Olympian laps competitors to achieve career first

Denise Ramsden, 25, dominated the competition in yesterday's Gastown Grand Prix, finishing 30 seconds ahead of second place. (Peter So)

Denise Ramsden took such a commanding lead at the women's Gastown Grand Prix that she was nearly lost among the other cyclists after lapping over her competitors when she claimed victory at the finish line yesterday.

"It was a pretty unprecedented move at that race," said Ramsden in an interview with On the Coast host Stephen Quinn.

"I actually wasn't sure I was going to lap the field at the end, but there was some extra motivation for the $400 prize if you lap the field, so that was worth it."

Ramsden, who represented Canada in the 2012 London Olympics, didn't feel particularly strong heading into the race.

"I'd spent all day taking my mom to surgery because she had to have a plate put into a broken wrist. 

"It was just the adrenaline keeping me going."

Prospective law student to keep riding

Ramsden will race in the Giro Di Burnaby tonight. 

The 25-year-old will start law school at the University of British Columbia this September, but won't let that stop her from riding competitively.

"I wouldn't count out seeing me at the Gastown Grand Prix next year."


To hear the full interview with Denise Ramsden, listen to the audio labelled: Gastown Grand Prix winner laps the field.