Victorian Veterans Cycling Council’s annual State Road Race Championships Sunday 7 August

Published on 20 July 2016

Waves of mature-age cyclists will sweep through the Newbridge area next month in pursuit of medals and bragging rights.

More than 100 riders are expected to line up in a range of age groups when the Victorian Veterans Cycling Council stages its annual State Road Race Championships on Sunday 7 August.

Hosted by the Central Victorian Veterans Cycling Club, the day’s program will start from the Newbridge Hall at 9:30am.

Men race in five-year age groups from the age of 35, while women can enter once they turn 30. Distances range from 33km to 89km.

VVCC president Tom Finning said this was the first time the championships had been held in Loddon Shire for some time.

“For the past few years, the event has been run in Maryborough in conjunction with the Easter Carnival there, but this time we’ve chosen to run it as a separate event,” Mr Finning said.

“We’ll use three different road circuits, usually starting with the younger riders because they’re tackling a longer distance.

“We’d normally have nine or 10 groups setting off, in both men’s and women’s events, though the largest fields are usually in the 40-50 years segment.

“In round figures, we’d expect to see 110 or more participants and people come from all over Victoria to compete, quite likely including a couple of riders well into their eighties.

“We’re grateful to Loddon Shire for hosting us and we’re looking forward to a great day.”

The Central Victorian Veterans Cycling Club was formed in 1994 and is based at Woodstock on Loddon hall in Woodstock.

The club has more than 170 members from throughout the Bendigo district, though some travel from as far afield as Melbourne, Echuca, Maryborough and Castlemaine to ride in club events.

Races are also held at Newbridge, Emu Creek, Maryborough, Inglewood, Castlemaine, Harcourt, Bagshot and other places.

The Victorian Veterans Cycling Council has 11 member Victorian clubs with a total membership of approximately 1200 riders. 
Entries for the Newbridge event close on 2 August.

For more details, phone Mr Finning on 0418 521 420 or visit www.loddon.vic.gov.au