Budget Leak: South Australian Govt to cut Tour Down Under in tommorows budget

[Libertine Seguros]

I like your idea with bathurst. The climb up to bathurst is quite tough but the circuit is not overly long. As much as it is a warm up event. It is still important for australia and we still need it.Maybe they could do a one day classic race on Mt Bunninyong

As cycling circuits go it's not very long at all, but as motorsports go it's pretty damn long. You could perhaps add a few hundred metres to head back into the town and it wouldn't be too bad. It's a lot longer than the Interlagos circuit used in the Copa América. And if you're putting it early in the season you can consider it like a crit for the start or something, pull people off if they get lapped etc. Would be a good way to start - Mount Panorama is easily tough enough to break things up (I think it gets to 16% at Forrest's Elbow) but not too long to dissuade people from riding.

It's similar to something I thought of for the ToB. They say they have problems with setting up TTs because they can't close places down for that long. So why not have a prologue at a racing circuit like the Vuelta did? Silverstone is over 5km, you could add a bit with the new bit they've built, get a TT course of 6-7km and that could really add something to the race.

 

[Sasquatch]

The Herald Sun Tour isn't moving to February as it will lose it's historical rating.

And hell will have to freeze over before the Herald Sun Tour gets pro-tour. The organisers will never let that happen.

 

[woodie]

But whereabouts would you put it? The Canadian races have a decent slot with a few weeks before the Worlds. If you're going to go with a similar format, the best idea would be to put it before another set of important one-day events, which would entail putting a couple of races where? Probably just before the Omloop, but then even if they use, say, the Geelong course or something like that (I've always been intrigued by the idea of using the Bathurst motor racing circuit for a one-day race, the same way as the Copa América de Ciclismo uses Interlagos Circuit in São Paulo) surely the weather of mid to late February in Australia won't really be much preparation for the wind and rain of early-season Belgium...

You wouldn't just use the Mt. Panorama circuit because it's only like 8km long but what you could do is loop it around or through town. There are also some decent loops you could use and then bring them back into the circuit every lap. That could be fun..

 

[blaxland]

No, I think the handouts to Lance were definitely the most cost-effective spending of the whole TdU budget

I kind of hope it happens, maybe then we would see a race which focuses on the whole of South Eastern Australia as opposed to the same Adelaide format each year.

Totally agree with that Ferminal...Start in Queensland travel down coast to NSW and further down to Victoria and South Australia....

 

[Spare Tyre]

The Herald Sun Tour isn't moving to February as it will lose it's historical rating.

And hell will have to freeze over before the Herald Sun Tour gets pro-tour. The organisers will never let that happen.

Really? Have the UCI not backed Cycling Australia on their support of the shift?

Source: http://www.roadcycling.com.au/latest-cycling-news/herald-sun-tour-shifted-to-february-2011/

"CYCLING Australia have confirmed the re-schedule date of the Herald Sun Tour.

It will move to February 2011 with the 58th race to be held from February 8-13.

Cycling Australia CEO Graham Fredericks told cyclingnews.com that there were three main elements to be considered when reaching the decision.

“In arriving at this decision the Board addressed three key objectives, firstly to protect the achievements of the Santos Tour Down Under; secondly to protect the integrity of Australian track cycling, namely the Australian Track Championships and thirdly to retain the Jayco Herald Sun Tour on the UCI calendar and restore the event to its previous stature and profile,” said Fredericks."

*

Personally I think the shift away from spring is a good move; the weather in spring can be nasty, especially if you're near the coast.

The current race organisers have only come on board within the past 4-5 years. My impression is that they want to build the race up.

 

[Ferminal]

But whereabouts would you put it? The Canadian races have a decent slot with a few weeks before the Worlds. If you're going to go with a similar format, the best idea would be to put it before another set of important one-day events, which would entail putting a couple of races where? Probably just before the Omloop, but then even if they use, say, the Geelong course or something like that (I've always been intrigued by the idea of using the Bathurst motor racing circuit for a one-day race, the same way as the Copa América de Ciclismo uses Interlagos Circuit in São Paulo) surely the weather of mid to late February in Australia won't really be much preparation for the wind and rain of early-season Belgium...

Would there be anyone interested in coming to Australia, post-Lombardy?

They are really the only two spots available, Late Jan-Early Feb or at the end of the season Late October-Early November.

You would run Mt. Panorama/Bathurst in reverse wouldn't you?

 

[Sasquatch]

Spare Tyre

That was back in March, that story.

Since then the organisers have found out that they will lose their 2.1 historical rating if it moves to February. So the Herald Sun Tour is back in it's October slot for at least next year.

And they will never build the race up to a pro-tour race. As what the Tour Down Under has done, if the Herald Sun Tour becomes pro-tour it means that the top local teams such as Genesys, Virgin Blue, Budget Forklifts, McDonagh-Blake Witness etc won't be able to race which would make it two major races in Australia that the local teams can't compete in. That's why Michael Hands will never make it pro-tour unless the rules change and some of these teams can compete as a wildcard.

 

[Galic Ho]

But whereabouts would you put it? The Canadian races have a decent slot with a few weeks before the Worlds. If you're going to go with a similar format, the best idea would be to put it before another set of important one-day events, which would entail putting a couple of races where? Probably just before the Omloop, but then even if they use, say, the Geelong course or something like that (I've always been intrigued by the idea of using the Bathurst motor racing circuit for a one-day race, the same way as the Copa América de Ciclismo uses Interlagos Circuit in São Paulo) surely the weather of mid to late February in Australia won't really be much preparation for the wind and rain of early-season Belgium...

I live within 60 kilometres of Bathurst. Don't waste your time. The ride is boring as all hell. Bit over 6 km's and nothing terribly severe. A third of the course would be a downhill rollercoaster. V8 Supercars hit almost 300 clics down Conrod Straight, bike riders who are game could hit 100 with the right gearing. Plus if you come off in the chicanes at the top there are lovely concrete barriers awaiting you. I could see Mount Panorama being used as a one off finish lap for a bigger course in a stage race, but not a single event. Would be a waste of time and money.

As for the weather. February is often the hottest month of the year Down Under. 35 degree celsius heat can be guaranteed. Lovely for training and getting into shape quickly.

This is really not surprising. The Labor govt in SA is appallingly bad. That party are perennial money wasters. When your skint something has to give. This race isn't needed. Plus it brings little money into the local economy. People who already live in SA who spend money locally anyway, does not grow or boost your economy in the long run. Outside cash is needed. The big states need to pool resources and share a race across the states or a series of one day classics. Each state should get to set a course and the highest point scorer across all races gets a bonus prize. Set it over a two week period with 3 day gaps between races. You'd get to see the best Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas, SA and WA have to offer.

 

[Galic Ho]

Would there be anyone interested in coming to Australia, post-Lombardy?

They are really the only two spots available, Late Jan-Early Feb or at the end of the season Late October-Early November.

You would run Mt. Panorama/Bathurst in reverse wouldn't you?

That is arguably the easier way up dude. One big gradual climb all in a straight line. Boring. Near the Essses is steep but nothing bad. Mark Renshaw trains on it. Not hard considering he is a sprinter. There are far more severe and demanding climbs in the local region. Make them climb Mount Canobolas in Orange. Dirt and steep. Mt Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway. 1 in 8 gradient over 2.5km. That is the average. Simply put it averages 12.3%. Or the Gap at Lithgow connecting Bells Line of Road. Just as steep as Mt Vic. Leads to the Zig Zag Railway. Add in Riverlett Hill at Hartley just after Mt Vic. Or take in two of these last three and incorporate it on a ride out to Jenolan Caves which is a road winding uphill all the way for 40km. Even better, the last section of road is unpaved and if you go down a hill you can die. Lots of fun and amusement there. As I said, Mt Panorama is really tame by comparison. Only positive is the broadcasting facilities and bitcumen quality. Best public road for build quality in NSW. Ultra smooth and slick.

 

[Galic Ho]

I like your idea with bathurst. The climb up to bathurst is quite tough but the circuit is not overly long. As much as it is a warm up event. It is still important for australia and we still need it.Maybe they could do a one day classic race on Mt Bunninyong

Read my post. You haven't a clue dude. I am a local. It isn't hard at all. You can run up the hill if you want. It is only sharp for a few sections. Over a third is downhill in a straight line irrespective of which direction you go up, which also ignores the flat sections. It isn't hard.

 

[Sasquatch]

Warragul Cycling Club run the Mt Baw Baw Classic.

Build that race up. Afterall, Baw Baw is one of the five toughest climbs in the world.

 

[blaxland]

Read my post. You haven't a clue dude. I am a local. It isn't hard at all. You can run up the hill if you want. It is only sharp for a few sections. Over a third is downhill in a straight line irrespective of which direction you go up, which also ignores the flat sections. It isn't hard.

Hey Galic The Bathurst Cycling Club runs some of there road races there thruought the year...and the Blayney to Bathurst uses it as a finish...I have also raced a 12 laps race their about 8 years ago,that was tough,but not to tough for the pros...They could always use the service road .The nsw hill climb championships use them and thats hard,dead road..Pm me maybe someday we could meet for a ride..

 

[Ferminal]

That is arguably the easier way up dude. One big gradual climb all in a straight line. Boring. Near the Essses is steep but nothing bad.

Yeh the straight is boring, but I thought the sections just after the summit would be a bit steeper than the other side.

 

[Galic Ho]

Yeh the straight is boring, but I thought the sections just after the summit would be a bit steeper than the other side.

They are, but they aren't very long. Conrod straight is only a hard/steepish incline near the top. The corners are the steepest parts on the hole mountain. After you leave the Chase and head through the winding parts, past Holden Hill, The Esses and into Forests Elbow the road is steep on the insides of the corners. Driving a car is daunting even at 40km on the corners. They are the only parts that are really steep and of course, smart riders rarely take those lines, they maneouvere around them. It's not like Alpe d'Huez with 20 corners. We're talking 5 sharp corners tops all within 400 metres. IMO a course with an overall hard or steep gradient would be better as it would allow longer attacks.

Mark Renshaw said on the local news last year that when he goes around Mt Panorama he does 6 laps. That is about 33kms for an approximate total and we all know how well he can climb. It isn't hard by any means for a pro.

 

[Galic Ho]

Hey Galic The Bathurst Cycling Club runs some of there road races there thruought the year...and the Blayney to Bathurst uses it as a finish...I have also raced a 12 laps race their about 8 years ago,that was tough,but not to tough for the pros...They could always use the service road .The nsw hill climb championships use them and thats hard,dead road..Pm me maybe someday we could meet for a ride..

The hardest roads are the service roads on the back of Mt Panorama. The ones used to get to the top of the mountain when the long weekend kicks in and Bathurst Council closes everything just past the Tafe and Charles Sturt Uni. I've seen them from the ground and air, there are quite a few that people aren't aware of. Simple to get to anytime of year except race week, just drive up the main straight and don't follow the race course left. Go straight and then take the first left just after you skip the race courses natural progression. Riding out to Blayney is good, but there are a lot of roads in the region that are suitable. There are a lot of side roads to small towns heading off in every direction from Bathurst. Good for nice ride without heavy traffic.

However Bathurst is the worst place in the world during the first 10 days in October. My birthday falls on race weekend and every bogan in the country heads to Bathurst. I cannot stand it. Thank god my mate is having an engagement party up past Gosford so I can remove myself from the area this year. Most people aren't aware but the locals are very greatful when the visitors leave. Worse, with that policemans death and 500 extra police in Bathurst I can smell a lot of ****ed off people this year on both sides of the fence. Glad I'll be out of the region.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Read my post. You haven't a clue dude. I am a local. It isn't hard at all. You can run up the hill if you want. It is only sharp for a few sections. Over a third is downhill in a straight line irrespective of which direction you go up, which also ignores the flat sections. It isn't hard.

Okay! You don't have to be nasty about it! I did not know you were a local. From what I have watched of Bathurst it looks like a hard climb but I must be wrong!

 

[blaxland]

The hardest roads are the service roads on the back of Mt Panorama. The ones used to get to the top of the mountain when the long weekend kicks in and Bathurst Council closes everything just past the Tafe and Charles Sturt Uni. I've seen them from the ground and air, there are quite a few that people aren't aware of. Simple to get to anytime of year except race week, just drive up the main straight and don't follow the race course left. Go straight and then take the first left just after you skip the race courses natural progression. Riding out to Blayney is good, but there are a lot of roads in the region that are suitable. There are a lot of side roads to small towns heading off in every direction from Bathurst. Good for nice ride without heavy traffic.

However Bathurst is the worst place in the world during the first 10 days in October. My birthday falls on race weekend and every bogan in the country heads to Bathurst. I cannot stand it. Thank god my mate is having an engagement party up past Gosford so I can remove myself from the area this year. Most people aren't aware but the locals are very greatful when the visitors leave. Worse, with that policemans death and 500 extra police in Bathurst I can smell a lot of ****ed off people this year on both sides of the fence. Glad I'll be out of the region.

Yeah ive been living in the mountains for a few years now and everybody knows not to try to get on the great western highway on Bathurst weekend...its a nightmare..What about Megalong Valley thats one of my favourite climbs?Just not much to do when your at the bottom,just turn around..and go back up.Good climb for repeat sets.

 

[Galic Ho]

Okay! You don't have to be nasty about it! I did not know you were a local. From what I have watched of Bathurst it looks like a hard climb but I must be wrong!

Sorry dude. I was saying it in a casual way, no malice intended. I'll use the smilies next time (if I remember). Most people assume, because of the Bathurst 1000 footage and helicopter shots that Mt. Panorama is a big hill. It offers a nice view of Bathurst at night but that is it.

The Blue Mountains have more savage roads for climbing. There are two main highways out of Sydney that you can take to get to Bathurst. The M4, which becomes the Great Western Highway at Penrith/Emu Plains and the other one is on the opposite side of the base of the Blue Mountains at Richmond; Bells Line of Road. It is the better road for driving fun and riding (not that I'd recommend ever riding alone on it). Lots of fun after Nth Richmond and up past Kurrajong and out to Bilpin. A few wineries and fruit orchards and also the Botanical Gardens are on the way. Cuts through the largest National Park in NSW. If anyone goes along Bells towards Sydney to get to Newcastle or Gosford, take the turn off at Ruse Hill before Old Windsor Road and head towards Wisemans ferry. Some of the coolest winding uphill roads in NSW are found there. Dangerous stuff, mini versions of some Alpine passes.

 

[Galic Ho]

Yeah ive been living in the mountains for a few years now and everybody knows not to try to get on the great western highway on Bathurst weekend...its a nightmare..What about Megalong Valley thats one of my favourite climbs?Just not much to do when your at the bottom,just turn around..and go back up.Good climb for repeat sets.

Emirates has their new resort out that way in Megalong Valley. I haven't been out there in while myself. I might go scope it out in the car sometime.

As for driving on the highway. Bathurst is dead on race day. It is like a ghost town or a zombie/apocalypse scenario when driving through whilst the race is on. An hour after the race ends the roads are carnage. To get into Lithgow, I have to cross the highway and merge from a traffic island. Next to impossible when the traffic starts flowing after the race. I simply don't hop in the car.

The hardest local climb I know is 1100 or 1300 metres long. Rises just shy of 150 metres, all dirt and is up past the old decomissioned State Mine Railway in Lithgow. Leads to the Newnes Plateau and a large logging area. Hardest hill I've climbed. Road is almost always wet and damp clay roads are horrible for grip. Add in the huge gradient and it is hard but fun. I even ran into wild goats last time I went up.

 

[Mellow Velo]

ToC is Pro Tour?

Sorry. I can see why you are confused.
Is Cali a PT event? No
Will it be, next season? Yes. Hence the comment.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Personally, I was just reminded of Bathurst by the fact that the climb from the Quebec GP is in an old version of Project Gotham. Certainly isn't any steeper than Mount Panorama, but as you say, the fact that the descent is all one big straight may hamper it. Besides, I'm not an Aussie, I wouldn't know the area around Mt Panorama and if there is a better climb in the area. If you do, then I'll bow to your superior knowledge of the area. I still think it could make a good finish to a stage, but if you say a circuit race wouldn't work, then I'll accept that.

 

[hughmoore]

The TDU is great event for us South Australians and the thousands of visitors who come each year.

Mike Turtur has done a great job building it up over ten years.

If you dont like it, thats unfortunate, but I think its going to continue for few years more.

I understand you think its too easy and should have more climbs, but it is what it is, its not suppsoed to be a climbers event.

Iy you guys want a Pro Tour event in Bathurst or anywhere else for that matter, then you need to build up your own event to the point that it justifies Pro Tour status.

There is nothing stopping you spending the next ten years building up another event, getting your state governments to invest the money to attract the teams. Mike Turtur did this, why cant you guys?

regards


Hugh

 

[woodie]

Hey Galic The Bathurst Cycling Club runs some of there road races there thruought the year...and the Blayney to Bathurst uses it as a finish...I have also raced a 12 laps race their about 8 years ago,that was tough,but not to tough for the pros...They could always use the service road .The nsw hill climb championships use them and thats hard,dead road..Pm me maybe someday we could meet for a ride..

Actually, the Club is lucky to run four races a year on a closed circuit at the top of Mt Panorama, we don't run road races around it (every non cyclist in Bathurst would chuck a fit), the hill climb championships are the only race that races to the top. The Blaney to Bathurst doesn't finish at the top anymore either it finishes in pit straight.

And Galic i agree about Race weekend. I have to work in a bar on Sunday night

 

[Teddler]

So the budget has been released and as far as I can decipher nothing has changed in terms of the governments approach to the Pro Tour. In fact the document proudly claims that the event generated $41 million in revenue for the south australia.

Also someone mentioned that the herald sun tour has been moved back to October, I can't find any evidence of this and its definately not on this October, can anyone clarify?

 

[auscyclefan94]

So the budget has been released and as far as I can decipher nothing has changed in terms of the governments approach to the Pro Tour. In fact the document proudly claims that the event generated $41 million in revenue for the south australia.

Also someone mentioned that the herald sun tour has been moved back to October, I can't find any evidence of this and its definately not on this October, can anyone clarify?

In yesterdays paper (adelaide advertiser) it was said that through leaks that it was going to be cut but I can't find anything on it.