Drumheller is going have its moment in the international spotlight on September 6 when the Tour of Alberta rolls through town.
Though professional cycling is not as high profile as other sports in Alberta, local cycling enthusiast Gary Chambers is excited the event will be rolling through the area. 
“I think the town is in for a surprise with the magnitude of the sport. I don’t think you’ll get the spectator numbers of more established races, but you will get quite a few fans following the race around Alberta,” said Chambers.
The Town of Drumheller is preparing for 10,000 visitors during the race.
“We’re preparing for that many people. I think it might be over generous, but those are the numbers from the Tour of Alberta. They say that’s what is seen in similar sized communities,” said Mayor Terry Yemen. “If we get 10,000 folks coming to Drumheller, it’s going to be a happening place, that’s for sure.”
Chambers spoke with inSide Drumheller about the scope of the event, what’s in store for the riders, and how it could benefit the town.
Though the race is new, Tour of Alberta officials have announced a number of high profile teams competing in the race.
“It’s an UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) sanctioned event. There will be big riders and teams, like Garmin Sharpe, who are about as big as it gets. Last year, Ryder Hesjedal won the Giro d’Italia,” said Chambers. “There are UCI points in the line, so they will be treating it like a serious race.”
Spectators will have two opportunities to see the riders come through Drumheller. First the riders pass north through town to the Morrin Corner, where they travel west, across the Morrin Bridge, and then loop back to Drumheller where they finish at the Badlands Community Facility.
Spectators who are new to the sport are in for a surprise according to Chambers.
“When a pelloton comes through, the group is so tight they’re literally within an inch of each other. They’ll comfortably be doing 50 to 60 kilometres per hours,” said Chambers. “We’re going to have a good finish here. For most of the race it’ll probably be a tight group with maybe one breakaway group. There will probably be a sprint finish.”
For the riders, Chambers feels the hills, which at first glance seem daunting, shouldn’t present much of a challenge to the Tour riders.
“For those riders, there’s not going to be anything more than a speed bump. It might surprise people, but the hills probably won’t be much of a challenge for the riders,” said Chambers.
The biggest boon from the race could be a persistent effect on tourism.
“When they put cycling on TV, they tend to use a lot of filler content. They talk about the landscape and history of the area. Drumheller has so much to offer,” said Chambers. “Drumheller will benefit a lot. We have some really great cycling here. The road cycling is second to none in the province.”