By Trevor Jackson
THE unfortunate news came recently regarding the cancellation of the 2021 Tour of the Great South Coast cycling event, scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 5.
The tour, founded by Caribou Publications in 2012, had never looked better, sponsorship was at an all-time high, teams from throughout Australia and New Zealand were ready and eager and a two-day women’s race was set to be introduced into Victoria’s Glenelg Shire.
However, according to a statement from Caribou Publications, developments outside their control led to the cancellation, which centred around the uncertainty with interstate border closures, along with other factors.
With South Australia’s borders closed to Victoria, New South Wales, the ACT and parts of Queensland, Caribou’s John Craven said they would be lucky to assemble a line-up of 20 riders.
Back in 2019 when the tour was last held, 75 per cent of our field came from those regions.
“The race had grown to probably be the most respected National Road Series event in the country,” Craven told The Border Watch this week.
“That was backed up by the participation of the number of riders who went to the Tokyo Olympic Games.
“Patrick Bevin was selected in the Tokyo road race and he won the Tour of the Great South Coast three years ago.
“The Australian team who finished with bronze medal, the last five years have used the tour as a major part of their preparation.
“Kelland O’Brien won the last tour, so to see that stuff gives you a lift, to know the tour has made some contribution to the success of the riders.”
Craven said he was Extremely disappointed to have to cancel the event again.
