CYCLING “royalty” will be in Mount Gambier when the 100 Mile Classic kicks off today.
Commonwealth Games gold medalist Amy Cure will contest the 112km women’s race on Saturday and the South Australian Kermesse Championships on Sunday, with a real chance of success.
Cure competes in a mix of road and track events, but is predominantly a track cyclist, recently rising to fame for her two track gold medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, in the team pursuit and the scratch race.
She has gained World and National titles and tour wins over the years, from junior through to senior.
She also races in Europe, contesting various road events as well.
“Track is my main focus, but I have been lucky enough to do some road events and have had a professional road contract for the last four years,” Cure said.
“It has been good to be able to go over to Europe and race on the road, but my main pedigree is the track, with the focus on the Olympics.”
The Tasmanian, dubbed the “Queen of the Apple Isle”, said she is keen to contest both Mount Gambier events this weekend, which she said were the ideal hit outs prior to heading back overseas.
“We are heading off to Europe soon so I wanted to get a few races in before we go,” she said.
“I think the 100 Mile will be a good race for me.
“It is a big race and will be good to get some racing in the legs.
“I guess I am using it as a stepping stone towards Europe.
“I want to really familiarise myself with road racing again before I go over there and step into big UCI races straight up.”
Cure said she has had limited racing recently, apart from the Berri handicap event.
“That is the only real racing I have done so I am looking forward to the two days in Mount Gambier,” she said.
“Over in Europe we will have road races as well as Kermesse racing so it will be good to get the two races in over the weekend.”
Cure is known for endurance track cycling and has gained various awards over her career to date.
However, while track and road events seem miles apart, Cure said road racing was important for various reasons.
“I feel training for track and road benefit each other,” she said.
“For the track you need to train hard and do the road kilometres.
“The road helps with strength, especially Kermesse racing which is good for sprinting out of corners and gaining that top end power.”
That may well suit her assault on the 100 Mile Classic and the Kermesse, with both historically tough events.
Cure has visited the region in the past, but has limited knowledge of the two courses.
She expects the 100 Mile Classic to be a tough event, especially with the hills involved.
“I think it will be really tough, but over in Europe you have the big professional road teams so you have a lot more top end competition,” Cure said.
“I am not the best hill climber, but I can manage to get up a hill.
“Fingers crossed it is not too difficult.”
For the Kermesse, Cure also expects a tough challenge.
“I have been to Mount Gambier once before,” she said.
“I don’t know the course so well, but I did a charity ride from Saint Kilda to Adelaide and we went through Mount Gambier.
“I have some friends from there so we had a look around.
“I have been to the Blue Lake and it is really beautiful.
“I would imagine it would be tough to race around, but a nice tough I think, if that is possible.”
Cure said the highlight of her career so far was winning the two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
She said it was a special moment in front of family and friends.
She said while she has not had the results she would like at an Olympic Games yet, she hoped to change that in the future.
“I hope to go to the Tokyo Olympics and win a gold medal,” she said.
“I will go there with the focus on team pursuit, madison and omnium.”
At 26 years of age there is certainly time for Cure to continue her rise towards the top in the sport, with the Limestone Coast having the chance to see the star competitor in action this weekend.
