Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
MOUNT Gambier’s cycling fraternity says attracting an international race has the potential to put the Blue Lake city on the “global map”.
This comment comes amid talks getting under way with global cycling race heavyweights over potentially attracting a race to Mount Gambier, which could circuit the iconic Blue Lake.
Labor MP Leon Bignell – a former Labor tourism minister and former South East resident – has been in France this week speaking with world cycling boss David Lappartient over attracting four stand-alone international bike races in South Australia over a 15-day period in January from 2021.
Among the routes mooted in the fledgling proposal is the Blue Lake circuit, which has already been “tried and tested” as premier cycling racing location.
“It would be sensational to have this event in Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island or around the Blue Lake in Mount Gambier,” Mr Bignell said.
“That way regional South Australians experience a major event in their area and images of their region are beamed into millions of homes around the world.”
Mount Gambier Cycling Club president Dean Zeven said attracting an international cycling race would be a significant coup for the city.
“Mount Gambier would get worldwide attention – it would be massive,” Mr Zeven said yesterday.
Explaining the Blue Lake city already hosted state and national cycling events, he said securing an international fixture would be the next step.
“The Blue Lake would be a fantastic venue and an international race would bring big names in world cycling here,” Mr Zeven added.
Importantly, he said such an event would bring significant spectator numbers to the city.
Limestone Coast Labor politician Clare Scriven said yesterday she supported moves to attract international events to Mount Gambier.
“Anything to bring more focus to regional areas is positive. An international cycling race is good idea and has great potential,” Ms Scriven said.
She said attracting people to Mount Gambier for a particular event would stimulate repeat visitation.
Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said he was also supportive of moves to attract an international cycling event to the city, which would stack up in terms of a “return of investment.
“An international event would be broadcast to Europe and the world – it would showcase our region and the Blue Lake in January would be spectacular,” Mr Bell said.
Shadow Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison any new events in the regional areas would be good for regional tourism.
“South Australia saw an alarming decline in international tourist visitors (-3.2pc), regional spend (-3.5pc) and visit nights (-9pc) compared with the previous year,” Ms Bettison said.
“Rather than cutting funding to the tourism sector, Minister Ridgway needs to think about how we can bring more events to our regions.”
In a statement, Mr Bignell said after a lengthy review and a freeze on new events the International Cycling Union president was keen to expand events in Australia.
“This is a great opportunity for SA, I’m happy to work with the government and my contacts in world cycling to help make it all happen.”
Mr Bignell first mooted attracting an international bike race to Mount Gambier in 2014 when held the tourism ministerial port folio.
