Tamworth Cycling Festival organisers are confident there’ll be some hot competition at their inaugural event.
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Flying the flag for Tamworth will be Sam Spokes, who will contest the criterium event, while UCI Continental outfit Oliver’s Real Food Racing and well-known Queensland cycling team Charlie Cools Cycling Club will field five riders each.
Inverell’s Dylan Sunderland has also registered for the festival which will come hot on the tail of the Tour de l'Avenir.
Sunderland is currently racing in the event and after the fourth stage – a 20.2-kilometre time trial – the cyclist sits in 53rd position overall.
The 10-day challenge could be Sunderland’s ticket to securing a professional contract after a strong season in Europe.
“I’m feeling very motivated going into the Tour de l'Avenir,” he said last Friday.
“It’s always exciting to pull on the green and gold to race for Australia. The Tour de l'Avenir is the biggest race for the U23 riders.”
Mimicking the Tour de France format and open to men aged 19 to 23, the race is billed as a chance for the future stars of pro cycling to shine.
Sunderland acknowledged that making his mark will be a battle.
“There are several very strong riders in the tour this year with many of them already obtaining a world tour professional contact. This is going to make it a very hard 10 days of racing,” he said.
Sunderland will face another competitive field in Tamworth but with five events at the festival, there will be something suit every level of cyclist.
“We’ve tried to create an event where competitive cyclists can benefit from top quality racing, with a prize pool of almost $10,000 and equal prize money for fastest male and female in each event. But for the more casual cyclist, the Roberts and Morrrow Community Ride is a fun way to get involved without the pressure,” Tamworth Cycle Club president Min McDonald said.
“Even if you’re not into cycling, there’s plenty on offer for spectators on Saturday, September 1, with live music and barbeque breakfast at the top of the Oxley Scenic lookout from 9am, and all the action of the Hopscotch Restaurant Spectator Zone from 1.30pm.”
Registrations close at midnight on Wednesday, August 22. More information is available at www.tamworthcyclingfestival.com.au
