The big cycle event in Vic.

Great planning creates a huge cycling weekend

‘Someone’ has seen an opportunity and gone for it, combining existing cycling events into one huge event linking country Victoria into one huge weekend in Melbourne.

1. The 2006 Jayco-Herald Sun Tour 8 -14 October
2. Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day 15 October
3. The Cyclecover Insurance Bicycling Australia Show 14-15 October

Melbourne will be abuzz this weekend with Carlton hosting both the Bicycling Australia Show at the Exhibition Building and Saturday’s Lygon St finale to the Jayco-Herald Sun Tour, and Docklands being the venue for Sunday’s Around the Bay in a Day after party.

Combining the elements
The Jayco Tour will use a criterium circuit travelling down the Rathdowne St side of the Exhibition Building on Saturday and some of the Around the Bay riders will pick up entry packs at the Cycling Show on Sunday.

1. The Jayco-Herald Sun Tour
Ninety-eight riders, representing 14 teams and 13 countries will compete over seven days, seven stages and 820km. The 2006 Tour started off last Sunday in Shepparton.

This Tour is Australia’s oldest stage race is a major international race generating significant economic impact and media exposure for the country towns involved.

As one of only 2 UCI ranked stage races in Australia this gives local riders a chance to compete with international riders and a growing number of Australian professionals – who ride for some of the best teams in the world – who come home to support their ‘hometown ‘race.

Robbie McEwen is riding in the Australian team alongside defending champion Simon Gerrans, who aims to become just the fourth rider to defend the Tour title.

History
First run in 1952, an estimated 500,000 people throughout Victoria saw the Sun Tour as it was known then. Of the 56 starters only 18 finished the six-day event throughout Victoria.

The winner was Keith Rowley, a Maffra sheep farmer, in a time of 42hr 57min 55sec. He beat his brother Max by 49sec to win.

2. Portfolio Partners Around the Bay in a Day
This Sunday the largest number of cyclists in Australia will get together for the challenge to ride around Port Phillip Bay in a single day.

You certainly have to be fit, but there are now four ‘graded’ options:

1. The Legend 250km
2. ATB Challenge 210km (4 route options)
3. The Classic 100km
4. The Great Melbourne Bay Ride 42km

You can enter as an individual, or form a team with your work colleagues, friends or family (minimum 4 team members).

3. The Cyclecover Insurance Bicycling Australia Show
With the theme of ‘Get fit, feel great!’ in this year’s show there will be:

• Where to ride ‘seminars’ in Australia & New Zealand
• Demonstrations
• New products
• Special guest – Eddie Merckx winner of 5 Tours de France, 5 Tours of Italy and 4 World Championships.

Could you or HAVE you combined elements to create a huge event in your town/region? DO let us know and help inspire other events!