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Fifty-one years after the first race, the annual Tour di Via Italia took to the streets around Windsor’s “Little Italy” on Sunday, bringing in thousands of spectators and hundreds of racers from around North America.

The first race, what’s called the Master I, Sen III & Juniors (various classifications of the experiences of the riders), began at 1pm.

Marc Polsinelli of Z-TEAM crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 48:30, after 20 laps (40km).

The next race was for Master’s II, III & Senior IV, V racing classes.

Anthony Smith of the USA Pista Elite team battles for position.

The pack swings around the corner of Parent and Giles.

Making their way up Howard.

Kevin Collins of Grand Rapids MI took first place in this 20-lap race, with a time of 51 minutes and 28 seconds.

Stanislav Blazek of the KURZAWINSKI COACH team is awarded the silver medal for 2nd place in the Master II, III & Sen IV, V race.

Stanislav Blazek and Kevin Collins, 2nd and 1st.

At 3:30pm, three groups of racers each took to the course.  Between the Under 17 years old group, the under 15′s, the 13′s and 11′s, the Women’s race dominated the course for a duration of 20 laps.

Jane Evely of Team SUMMA CARE comes around the corner of Parent and Giles, out in front of WD Lowe Highschool.

Merrill Collins of La Bicicletta crosses the finish line in first place after 40kms, with a time of 52:38, followed by Jane Evely.

At 4pm, racers took a break before the final event of the day – the Pro Race.

Tricycle races!!

And various family races.

By 5pm, the anticipation lifted, and the 110km, 2-hour, 54-lap Pro Race began.

A rider from the Wolverine Sports Club sprints to briefly take the lead.

Rounding the corner at Giles.  The approximate lap time during this race was only 2 minutes and 40 seconds!!  Try driving the course that fast!

Around the corner from Erie to Parent.

The racer, in focus, with the panthers on his collar is Chris Uberti… one to watch.

Two riders break away from the pack and pass by the registration building at Howard and Erie, as the race nears its end.

And all the anticipation builds, thousands of fans line the streets as three riders  come barreling toward the finish line on the final lap!!

And at the very last moment, Chris Uberti, a 21 year old rocket propulsion student from West Lafayette Indiana sprints to a first place finish at the Tour di Via Italia!!

Thanks to all the organizers, including Aldo Sfalcin who is responsible for keeping cycle racing alive in Southwestern Ontario.  Thanks also to WindsorEats who shared a booth with Windsor Visuals right beside the race course!

It was a real treat to photograph the Tour di Via Italia, and experience something of a local flavour of european cycling!

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