TRUE BLUES: Tony Young, Jock Stier, Angie Pearson and Craig Cox, taking on the Pedal The Peel as part of the Blue Edge Team. Photo: Robert Chappel 081012RCD03
THE Tamworth Blue Edge cycling team is taking on the Pedal The Peel challenge on October 21 with hard edged professionalism.
The team promises to attack the race with the same gusto and attitude that the Australian based Green Edge Team, which mirrors the Blue Edge team, took on the Tour de France, according to team captain Craig Cox.
The team started with a few members of the Rotary Club of Tamworth Sunrise, but has quickly grown, and is now standing with 29 cyclists competing, with 22 riding in the 55km event and a crack team of seven riders taking on the 115km event.
The Pedal The Peel event is organised by the Rotary Club of Tamworth First Light, and is a charity event now in its third year.
Management of Blue Edge have been particularly happy with the “ultra pro” training schedule that has consisted of Sunday morning team rides for at least a month, and are particularly confident because of the fact that “there has been no stacks or crashes yet, bolstering the team”.
“Both teams have been gathered on a tactical basis, and because of their dedication, hard work and commitment to the race,” Mr Cox said.
Much like their counterparts in the Green Edge team, the Blue Edge team is rumoured to have been poaching cyclists from other organisations, with whispers floating about that they have engulfed some of the Westpac team, which recently finished a 500km endurance event.
“The 115km team has a good mix of sprinters, domestiques and mountain men that should get them across the line,” Mr Cox said.
The Pedal The Peel challenge is open to any cyclist, with races to suit all ages and fitness levels.