Media Release - Friday, 30 June 2006
AUSTRALIA'S RISING STAR RETURNS TO DEFEND TOUR TITLE
The Premier, Steve Bracks, today announced the dates and the route for this year’s Jayco Herald Sun Tour which will kick off in regional Victoria – the first time in a decade.
Mr Bracks joined Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby, to launch the Tour at a breakfast at Melbourne’s Federation Square and announced the regional cities of Shepparton, Bendigo, Nagambie, Benalla and Lake Mountain will this year host stages.
The tour will begin on Sunday 8 October with a street-circuit criterium in Shepparton and finish in Melbourne’s Lygon St on Saturday 14 October with the final stage broadcast live around Australia on Network Ten.
Mr Bracks said the event continued to grow and showcase provincial Victoria with changes made to last year’s race receiving the thumbs up from the professional riders, and to be included again this year.
“The Tour route alters each year, ensuring as many Victorians as possible can experience the event. Each town is planning a series of community activities and thousands of Victorian’s will get the chance to watch the world’s best cyclists racing down their street,” Mr Bracks said.
“Last year we announced the reinvigoration of Australia’s oldest cycle race and the Tour continued its history of producing the future stars of Australian cycling.
“Changes adopted that will be again include one stage a day and a tour route that builds to a crescendo and following rider feedback intermediate sprint and climb time bonuses will return, along with time bonuses for stage wins.”
Mr Bracks also announced last year’s winner Simon Gerrans would return this year to defend his title along with his French team.
The former Mansfield resident became only the third Australian rider in 20 years to win the Tour and will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner for more than 30 years with Tasmanian Graham McVilly (1973-74) the last rider to win consecutive races.
“Last years win capped off an amazing 2006. A podium finish in a stage of the Tour de France and riding for Australia at the world championships were fantastic, but to win the race I grew up watching was the highlight of the year,” Gerrans said from Europe on the eve of his second Tour de France.
“The course this year sounds perfect - with one stage a day, a criterium to start and finish, a good climb up Lake Mountain and the individual time trial at Kew.
“It will be great to return as the defending champion and the AG2R team will also be attempting to defend the team title so it will be a huge race and we’d love to create history by producing back-to-back individual and team titles,” Gerrans said.
The 2006 Jayco Herald Sun Tour will feature 14 teams of seven riders who will make up the 96 rider field and will include:
- One stage per day, including a climb from Benalla to Lake Mountain
- Individual Time Trial along the Kew Boulevard
- VicHealth ‘Go for your Life” Tour Village each day and community festival in Lygon Street on the final day.
Mr Bracks also today announced the Jayco Herald Sun Tour had joined with Bicycle Victoria to highlight the health and social benefits of both the Tour and the Around the Bay in a Day events for both competitive and recreational cyclists.
“The Around the Bay in a Day is one of the world’s largest mass participation cycling events and will be held the day after the Tour’s conclusion,” he said.
Mr Brumby said the State Government’s major sponsorship of the event would again be linked to the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign.
“The Jayco Herald Sun Tour continues to highlight the messages we are getting out as part of our Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign,” Mr Brumby said.
“As well as showcasing provincial Victoria, with its great food, wine and sporting facilities, the race will also provide an economic boon for regional towns, generating an estimated $100,000 for every host town.
“More than 400 cyclists, organisers and team officials will stay overnight in Shepparton, Bendigo, Nagambie and Benalla, providing significant benefits to the cities’ tourism and hospitality businesses.”
The 2006 Tour will be presented by Jayco and the Herald Sun, as well as continued support from the Victorian Government under the Make it Happen in Provincial Victoria campaign, and support from VicHealth’s ‘Go for your Life’ program, delivering festival activities and a tour village in each town.
Full details of the course are available at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour website www.heraldsuntour.com.au
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For Further information please contact
David Culbert – Tour Media Director
03 9822 0823 or 0417 272 641
david@jumpmedia.com.au