A new three-day cycling event, featuring the best riders in the country, has been labelled a “massive” boost to the region.
The four-stage Cycle Sunshine Coast, which is part of the National Road Series, will be held at scenic locations from December 17-19.
The event is hosted by Sunshine Coast Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast, with financial support from the Federal Government.
There will be some road closures.
Local cycling commentator and former Tour De France rider Henk Vogels lauded the event’s presence and impact.
“It’s massive. For us to actually put an event on at the highest level is pretty cool,” he said.
“This is not a club race or state race, it’s got the best riders in Australia, including some who are on the world tour.
“It’s pretty cool that we’ve got a broad spectrum of riders from around the country heading to the Sunny Coast to duke it out.”
It will be just the second stage race on the 2021 NRS schedule, after many events were curtailed due to the pandemic.
Vogels said the region had established a reputation as a cycling hub.
“With the arrival of the Australian Cycling Academy and ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast, we’ve got a big organisation here that is catering to events around the region.”
“And it’s amazing for riders to race on the roads around here. They are unreal.”
The academy was established in 2017 and supports emerging riders with high performance, tertiary study and professional mentoring from a hub at USC. Their semi-professional team is ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast.
Cycle Sunshine Coast will include a fast and furious criterium on the streets of the new CBD at Maroochydore on Friday, followed by a tough, hilly race near Peachester on Saturday.
The event will also include a race near Yandina on Sunday and riders will also compete in a time trial at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
“I’d say Stage 2 will be the king stage,” Vogels said.
“Whoever wins Stage 2 will probably win overall. It will be really hard, with the men going up the Peachester climb seven times and doing that really rough road at Commissioners Flat.”
ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast riders are expected to vie for victory, amid men’s and women’s fields.
“I think all of our riders are in really good condition,” Vogels said.
“Cameron Scott, a former world champion (in team pursuit) is in very good condition, but we’ve also got guys like Angus Lyons and Zac Gilmore, who are riding really well.”
“But in all racing, nothing goes to script, so they’ve got to race well as a team and if they do that, they’ve got a really good chance.
“There’s no reason we can’t win it. We know the roads and we have got the horsepower, so it’s a matter of putting it together.”
Buderim product and ex-ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast rider Alastair MacKellar is set to compete for world tour team Israel Start-Up Nation, after his first season with the elite outfit.
“It’s the first national cycling event we’ve had here on the Sunshine Coast and it’s pretty awesome to have such a high-level race on the roads we ride and train on every day,” he said.
“To have it right here in our backyard is pretty special, plus it’s highlighting the sport and the Sunshine Coast as Brisbane prepares to host the 2032 Olympics.”
ACA CEO Matt Wilson said the festival was a boon for riders and fans
“This event is the first of its kind on the Sunshine Coast and we are thrilled to be able to give our ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast riders the chance to able to compete at an event of this level on home soil,” he said.
“It presents a fantastic opportunity for locals to come and watch all the action across the three days of competition.”
Subscribe to our free daily news feed. Go to Subscribe at the top of this story and add your name and email. It’s that simple.
The festival will include a free community ride, showcasing new bike paths across the Coast on Sunday. It’s supported by the Queensland Government’s Cycle Network Local Governments Grants Program. It’s presented by Cube Developments and will raise money for Inclusive Kids, a community fund for disadvantaged children.
USC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett said the university was proud to sponsor the festival.
She said it would promote the Sunshine Coast and help build interest before the region hosts road cycling events at the 2032 Olympic Games.
SBS Cycling Central will have highlights of Cycle Sunshine Coast on SBS On Demand soon after the event.
Find out more at Cycle Sunshine Coast.
Event details
Cycle Sunshine Coast schedule
- Stage One: Maroochydore City Centre Street Crit at The MET at the new Maroochydore City Centre on December 17. First race at 4.50pm.
- Stage Two: Peachester Road Race at Peachester School on December 18. Women’s road race from 7am, men’s road race from 10.30am.
- Stage Three: North Arm Circuit at North Arm School on December 19. Men’s road race from 6.30am, women’s road race from 9.30am.
- Stage Four: USC Time Trial on December 19 at USC. Men’s ITT 12.45pm, women’s ITT 2pm.
ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast rider line-up
- Women: Anya Louw, Ruby Roseman-Gannon, Alex Martin-Wallace, Holly Lubcke, Lauren Perry, Isabella Carnes.
- Men: Cameron Scott, Zack Gilmore, Angus Lyons, Declan Trezise, Oli Stenning, Ryan Thomas, Daniel Di Domenico, Cameron Rogers.
