THE Tour of the Great South Coast is expected to fuel a $1m bonanza for regional businesses as hundreds of cyclists and officials stream into Mount Gambier for the national event.
More than 100 elite national and international cyclists yesterday hit the bitumen around Vansittart Park and the iconic Blue Lake for the first stages of the high-profile road race.
While riders battled slippery conditions and intermittent rain, the weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of riders and hundreds of school students who watched the furiously-paced cyclists.
It is the seventh consecutive year the fixture has been staged in the Blue Lake city with today’s leg heading to Port MacDonnell, which promises to be a 128.5km “gruelling” race.
Race organisers warn crosswinds forecast today could cause “absolute havoc” for riders.
Mount Gambier City Council community events team leader Denise Richardson said more than 400 riders and members of their entourage had flooded the city since Monday.
“We estimate the event will bring around $1m to the Mount Gambier and district economy,” Ms Richardson said.
But she said the monetary windfall was only just one element given the national and international exposure generated.
“The stages will be live-streamed on the worldwide web,” said Ms Richardson, who explained videos of the Mount Gambier district’s tourist attractions would also be used.
She said the event was a major coup given it attracted the cream of Australia’s most elite and talented professional cyclists.
“The next step from competing at this level is the Tour Down Under and Tour de France,” the council employee said.
“The field we have seen in Mount Gambier this week is the best we have ever seen.”
Two Commonwealth gold medallists – Sam Welsford and Kell O’Brien – are among riders competing in this week’s races.
She said some elite riders – some of whom were aspiring Olympians – were also taking time out of their busy schedules to visit hundreds of school children in Mount Gambier and the Grant district.
In a heart-warming visit, the Mobius Bridgelane team visited Gordon Education Centre.
“One student – who is vision impaired – was able to go up and feel a bike – it was certainly emotional given they would not have this opportunity if it was not for this event,” Ms Richardson said.
Hundreds of Reidy Park students also gave the riders a rowdy reception during yesterday’s race.
Conceding the event was an inconvenience to people living along the race route, she said council undertook a letterbox drop to give residents plenty of notice.
She said Ferrers Medical Clinic had also advised patients ahead of the event they would have to walk to the facility from nearby streets.
Mount Gambier City Council contributed $20,000 as well as $5000 of in-kind assistance to secure the fixture.
Event promoter John Craven conceded Mount Gambier’s winter was becoming notorious with riders given the spate of wet conditions in recent years.
“But the riders love coming to Mount Gambier, Grant district and Glenelg region,” Mr Craven said.
“This event has become entrenched as a must do race for riders.”
He revealed the wet conditions yesterday did create some hazards for riders given the sharp corners around the Vansittart Park criterium.
“The Blue Lake is also a spectacular course – it is not an easy course,” Mr Craven said.
“Today’s race at Port MacDonnell will be gruelling and the crosswinds will play absolute havoc for riders.”
Mr Craven described the event as an economic generator given it was staged during Mount Gambier off-peak tourism season and the money flowing to hospitality and accommodation operators.
Grant District Mayor Richard Sage said momentum was building ahead of today’s stage at Port MacDonnell.
“The race will start and finish in Port MacDonnell – it will also go past the Allendale school,” Mr Sage said.
Not only was the fixture a breeding ground for cyclists, but would throw the spotlight on the district, he said.
Today’s race will kick of at Periwinkles at Port MacDonnell at 11am.
