MOUNT Gambier’s reputation as a major regional event destination is gathering speed amid news an elite cycling road racing tour is now billed as among the best in Australia.
With the Tour of the Great South Coast just weeks away from the starting line, organisers have secured the biggest coup in the history of the national event.
The six-day tour – which will start in Mount Gambier – has attracted the “world class” Australian cycling pursuit team, which is the “red hot” favourite to take a medal in next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.
The fixture is one of the city’s largest annual sporting events and is estimated to generate a significant economic boom.
Mount Gambier City Council community events officer Xarnia Keding said yesterday the looming arrival of the Australian cycling team would generate a massive buzz.
She said the road race tour was a crucial event in Mount Gambier given it generated economic activity during what was traditionally a quieter tourism period.
“This event – which is expected to bring 500 people to Mount Gambier – is particularly exciting given the tour crosses four councils and generates exposure of the region across Australia and internationally,” Mr Keding said.
“The financial windfall will trickle across the entire economy and will put the Blue Lake city on the map in terms of hosting national sporting fixtures.”
She revealed the event would generate more than $300,000 for the South East economy along with priceless promotion.
Picture: SANDRA MORELLO
Event organiser John Craven – who was in Mount Gambier yesterday – said the arrival of the Australian cycling pursuit team was a “massive deal” for the regional community.
He said the team was currently in Europe and would arrive in Australia shortly ahead of the tour starting in Mount Gambier.
“The Tour of the Great South Coast – which has been expanded to six days – is now the longest bike race in Australia – the Tour Down Under and The Herald Sun tours are both five days,” Mr Craven said.
“It is a genuine cross border tour – three days in SA and three in Victoria, which makes it a true national event.”
He said the event would be live-streamed across the world.
“You will be able to sit in a coffee shop in New York and watch riders go around Vansittart Park and the Blue Lake,” the racing event veteran added.
He revealed the extension to Naracoorte this year was also an exciting development, which would see the centre of the town “shut down” for dynamic close circuit street racing.
Organisers foreshadow around 100 riders and their support teams will roll into Mount Gambier.
The event is expected to attract riders from across the Australia, New Zealand and a “sprinkling from overseas”.
Mr Craven said the Australian pursuit team won gold in the Commonwealth Games and were the current world champions.
“This team is something else – four riders plus a reserve will come.”
He said the national team was using the tour as part of preparations to “toughen up”.
Moreover, Mr Craven said it would be special for domestic competitors to ride alongside some of the best in the world.
The eight-stage tour will be raced over 541km, starting with a traditional criterium at Mount Gambier’s Vansittart Park on Tuesday, August 27.
He praised the four councils – Mount Gambier, Grant District, Naracoorte and Glenelg – for “getting behind the event”.
