Beaupré, Québec  – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the Corporation Coupe du Monde de vélo de montagne Mont-Sainte-Anne has been granted financial assistance from the Government of Canada to promote and commercialize the Vélirium International Mountain Bike Festival and UCI World Cup on markets outside Quebec.

“The Government of Canada is pleased to once again lend its support to the Vélirium, a major sport competition that contributes to giving Canada maximum visibility while promoting tourism in Quebec, a source of jobs and economic growth,” said Minister Lebel.

The Vélirium is the largest mountain biking event in Canada. In addition to the cross- country and downhill UCI World Cups, the event features a range of complementary activities, including competitions at all levels and family and cultural activities. The Vélirium runs for three weeks, from Thursday, June 21 to Sunday, July 8, 2012, at Mont-Sainte-Anne in the Québec region.

The funding from the Government of Canada is earmarked for 2012 commercialization activities, such as television productions, the purchase of advertising space, the production of paper documents and press relations. A portion of this funding, however, applies to the year 2011. The Vélirium commercialization strategy primarily targets Canadian markets outside Quebec and United States markets. Its objective is to promote the event while also showcasing the recreational and tourist attractions of Mont-Sainte-Anne, its surrounding areas and the Greater Québec City region.