What terrific news!

Friday, 12 August 2011

Men’s National Road Series – Goulburn to Sydney, September 18-19, 2011.

The New South Wales State Government will partner the historic 170km Goulburn to Sydney (Camden) Cycle Classic (est 1902) which will be hosted by the Macarthur Collegians Cycling Club on the 17th & 18th of September promoting the Goulburn Mulwaree, Wollondilly, Camden and Campbelltown regions to a broader Australia wide audience.
State member for Wollondilly, Jai Rowell has lobbied for $20,000 funding assistance from the Premier’s department to continue the history of this iconic sporting event that has assisted many Australian cyclists as a stepping stone to their international careers. Cycling has been receiving world-wide recognition since the victorious salute of Australian Tour de France winner Cadel Evans in Paris last month.

“New South Wales has an event that is older than the Tour de France and we have a unique opportunity to use sport to promote our towns and show off our area.

The event ambassador, Simon Poidevin has led the push to raising over $800,000 that has assisted our local charities like the Odyssey House Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre Families Programme, the Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation ,Youth Solutions and Goulburn’s Palliative Care,” Member for Wollondilly Jai Rowell said.

The race has a unique history starting in Goulburn, Australia’s first inland city and finishing in the birthplace of Australia’s wool, wine and wheat industries, the historic town of Camden.

This year a short time trial will be held at Goulburns’ Victoria Park from 11am on Saturday the 17th of September with the historic 170km classic commencing on Sunday the 18th of September at 7.45am.

The historic race departs Goulburn and follows the Hume Highway to Berrima and passes through Mittagong, Bargo, Tahmoor, Picton and the Razorback Range before finishing to a friendly Camden welcome at 11.15am.

Media enquiries: Simon Poidevin 0411 206 790 – Paul Hillbrick 0412 842 730.

The race was preceded by a  charity ride of 120 riders led by Simon Poidevin, with the hope of raising $200,000. This year the ride included an 80km start at Mittagong for women.

Charity Ride Heading out of Picton Towards Razorback

The barriers along the finish straight were lined with people and, as the lead bunch thundered across the line the crowd went wild.

The clock was stopped at 3:45:31 (a 21 minute race record!) by Richard Lang from the Budget Forklift Team, 2nd was Jonathon Cantwell  and 3rd  Bernard salzberger, both from team Fly V Australia.

NSW Premier Nathan Rees and the Member for Wollondilly, Phil Costa were among the VIP’s on hand to present the winners with their prizes. Mr. Rees also presented a cheque to the race organising committee on behalf of the NSW State Govt. for $20,000 as official sponsors.

Winning the 2009 Goulburn to Citi

2nd and 3rd Across the Line

Nathan Rees has a chat with Phil Costa

Winner of Division 2 Benjamin Harvey

KOM Winner, Peter McDonald of Team Drapac Porsche is presented by Nathan Rees and Lauren

Richard Lang, Jonathon Cantwell and Bernard Salzberger on the podium

The winning team Budget Fork Lifts

Children's characters and circus performers created a festive mood while the crowd waited to see the final dash for the line

Alan Willock  writes:

We had a very short briefing before the ride and then took off in a fairly brisk pace.

The police were amazing in the way they kept us moving and even blocked off traffic for us to get the 200 or so riders through.  The pace quickened and although the ride is not a race it soon became a friendly competition.

From the start to the Cawdor turn off we averaged 32kph.  Baz dropped off the pace a little at Camden Valley Inn with me dropping back at the Cawdor turn off.  I should have done the same as it cost me on the climb up Old Razorback Rd.  Having said that we still managed to keep the leading group in sight.

Baz caught me up about 1km from the top and we met up again at the  rest area at the top. Gina and Leisel turned up shortly after and we had a bit of a break before heading down Razorback on Remembrance Drive.

I would have to say that this was the most memorable and enjoyable ride that I have ever been on.

It’s amazing how much better the ride was with the excellent roads and  the full police escort.

After a coffee in Camden we all walked down to the roundabout at the entrance to the main street to watch the pro-riders finish their race

And what a fine spectacle that was with everyone of us being left stunned by the blistering pace set by the race leaders on the up- hill finish.

I think I can safely say we will be back next year to do this ride again.

Aquafit Charity ride on Razorback

Pro riders racing up main street to finish

Goulburn to Citi race leaders setting a blistering pace, approaching the finish

They were taken by Sam Hood whose collection resides in the State Library of  NSW

The photos  are very appropriate as the 2009 race will be run on the 20th September.

For more info go to: The Pengana Goulburn to Citi Cycle Classic

If anyone has other historic photos or stories of the race they would like to share,  I’d be happy to display them for you.

1934 Goulburn to Sydney Cycle Classic Picton Rail Bridge

On Razorback

Receiving a Drink

Not all roads were sealed

Start in Goulburn

Moss Vale

Off road