The annual Cronulla International Grand Prix cycling series will kick off on Saturday, November 30, with some of the best sprinters taking part.
Co-sponsored by the Leader, racing between Elouera and Wanda beaches will be televised live on Network Nine from noon to 2pm, and provide Cronulla with outstanding media promotion.
Long-time cycling promoter Phill Bates is finalising another line-up of outstanding riders, with Orica Greenedge pedaller Michael Matthews keen to defend his title.
The honour roll in both the men’s and women’s events reads like a Who’s Who of Australian cycling.
Winners have included shire champs, dual Olympic gold medallist Graeme Brown, OAM, Sky professional star Chris Sutton, Commonwealth Games champion and triple world champ Ben Kersten, professional star Matt White and last year’s winner, world under-23 champion Michael Matthews. Placegetters include Robbie McEwen, Stuart O’Grady, Baden Cooke and Mark Renshaw.
With Katie Nichols taking the inaugural Grand Prix in 2006, she is one of many internationals who have triumphed in the women’s event.
Kirsty Broun, the multiple national champion, has been a triple winner, but other prominent performers have been Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rochelle Gilmore of Cronulla; world champion Kate Bates; and the 2012 winner Kimberley Wells in controversial circumstances over dual world champ, Ashlee Ankudinoff from St George .
It will be the eighth time the Grand Prix has been held at Cronulla, attracting the greatest cycling names in the country.
Bates has been keen to ensure the best possible outcome for the cyclists.
‘‘The Cronulla Grand Prix would never have happened without the support of Sutherland Shire Council and they have remained committed to the event since 2006,’’ he said
‘‘And Network Nine, the Leader, Illawarra Mercury and 2GB have all been outstanding media supporters of NSW Grand Prix Cycling.’’
The Cronulla Grand Prix was staged as a stand-alone event until the state government expanded the Cronulla race into a series in 2010, forming the NSW Grand Prix Series. It was a way of introducing the excitement of grand prix cycling to various parts of the state.
Destination NSW has continued to support it, with this year’s event being staged at Cronulla on the Saturday, and Wollongong on the Sunday where cyclists race on a tight 660-metre circuit around Flagstaff Hill.
The 1.34 kilometre circuit, with the start/finish line adjacent to Elouera Surf Life Saving Club, is one of the most scenic criterium circuits in Australia, with spectators having a great view of the competitors as they race along Mitchell Road.
A tight corner, descent and a chicane past Wanda Surf Club and a climb up to Greenhills adds to the track before the descent into the fast finishing straight, where cyclists can reach speeds of more than 70km/h.
The Masters event will start just after 11.30am, with the women live-to-air on Network Nine from 12.40pm, followed by the men at 1.30pm. The men will race over 27 laps of the circuit, with the women and Masters racing over 18 laps, with supporting events to start from 9am.
■ CRONULLA’S dual world road cycling champion Gaye Lynn took out the NSW Masters Award at the Jayco 2013 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards at Melbourne’s Crown Entertainment Complex on Friday night.
