SATURDAY, August 19 will see the 92nd running of the Bendigo Bank Collie to Donnybrook and Return cycle race.
The growth of the event over the past five years has seen the race become the biggest in WA.
The race first run in 1925, with just over 30 starters, has grown into one of the most prestigious in the state.
It has always attracted strong fields featuring the best riders in WA and on many occasions, interstate and international competitors.
Because of the growth of the race, the Collie Cycle Club along with Main Roads WA and relevant authorities have put in place a south to north lane closure from Mumballup to Collie between 1pm and 4pm.
Once again the nominations for the event have reached the maximum of 200 with the most respected road racers in the state intending to compete, including last year’s winner Guy Kalma.
Another top rider to nominate is Theo Yates, a member of the Australian Drapac-Pats Veg Pro Continental team, winner of the 2017 Leonora Golden Wheels race and a stage winner in the 2017 Tour of Thailand.
Michael Freiberg 2017 Classic winner and current member of the Australian Pro Continental team IsoWhey-Sports Wellness will also race.
These riders along with Bunbury’s Brad Linfied have just returned from competing in Europe over the past few months
A strong female representation will also be evident in the event. Sarah McLachlan first female rider across the line in 2016 has nominated.
Other notable female riders are Corrie Fillmore, current women’s A-grade leader of the 2017 Element Road Series and Erin Kinnealy who as a member of the Australian women’s Holden Racing Team raced the 2017 Women’s Tour Down Under and the Women’s Cadel Evans Great Southern Road Race.
The main event starts at the traditional point outside the Crown Hotel with the limit riders getting away at 12.30pm and the scratch riders leaving around 32 minutes later.
The winner is expected to cross the finish line outside the Crown Hotel between 3-3.30pm.
The day is supported by a number of junior races featuring under 17 and under 15 men’s and women’s races.
These races will draw a good number of the state’s best juniors and should produce some intense racing, giving a glimpse of future champions.
Another great event on the day will be the 15 kilometre participation ride. The aim of this event is for anyone to get out there, have a go and have fun.
We invite anyone who would like to have a ride, to register at 8.45am for a start time of 9.45am.
Incorporated in this event is the Primary Schools Challenge Shield, which last year was won by Collie Catholic College with Allanson Primary in second place and Wilson Park in third.
The challenges are getting bigger every year. This year we hope to have all of Collie’s Primary schools participating.
Start times: 9.45am – Participation ride; 10.30am – U15’s race; 11.30pm – U17’s race; 12.30pm – 104km Collie to Donnybrook and Return Cycling Classic.
