Re "Grand Prix cycle race hits a wall" (Leader, October 23).
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I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Cronulla MP Mark Speakman and Sutherland Shire mayor, Kent Johns, and other councillors who have offered great support for the recently cancelled Cronulla Grand Prix Cycling.
When I approached John Rayner in 2006, just after the Cronulla riot, to undertake a grand prix cycling event involving international cyclists, I was overwhelmed by the support from Mr Rayner and the council.
I have said it publicly: there is no better council to work with than Sutherland Shire, and the council team behind the event was nothing short of exceptional.
We had wonderful support from the outset, Steve Crawley at Network Nine and Alan Jones and Glenn Wheeler of 2GB, and our very own Leader that gave outstanding coverage, and each year progressed the event to a new level.
We also had significant sponsorship, well outstripping the contribution from government, and my thanks also to Tradies for their long-term support.
The cyclists have been amazing, the very best not just in Australia but some incredible international cyclists.
The start list annually looked like a who's who of cycling; it was a great opportunity for our younger cyclists from NSW to compete against Australia's international stars.
In 2010, when the government approached us to expand the series to five races, I thought it could have been a way of showcasing not just cycling but expanding our coverage and promotion to cover some exciting locations.
By 2011 the NSW government had cut the series back considerably to just a two-race series.
It has been a struggle ever since to maintain the funding, and last year's decision was made with just over three weeks prior to the weekend of racing — hardly enough time to justify staging an international event televised live for four hours over the weekend on the biggest network in the country.
Mark Speakman and the mayor attempted to convince government that the event was important for the region.
It will not happen in 2014 but I have always been an optimist and can only hope that we are able to get it back for 2015.
It certainly will not be through lack of trying.
To the organisations and large contingent of spectators who supported the event over the years, we extend our thanks and gratitude for your wonderful support, not just for cycling but also for Cronulla.
Phill Bates AM, organiser
Do you think the race should get more funding?
