Media Releases

NEW CENTURY COURSES GET THUMBS UP FROM RIDERS

23 May 2010

The new Noosa Century Rides were received with overwhelming approval from participants this morning. In the past two years the event has started in the heart of Brisbane before winding its way to Noosa. But this year both the 160km and 100km event started and finished in Noosa and while they were weary as they crossed the line all agreed it was by no means easy but certainly spectacular.

“This was really an amazing ride, we couldn’t have asked for anything better from the organization to the stunning hinterland on the way out to the ocean scenery coming home,” said first time participant Glenn Mahoney.

Despite the cool start to the morning as riders made their way through the Hinterland the sun eventually warmed things up as they wound their way down to Bli Bli.

In just its third year the Noosa Century Rides have been an enormous success with cycling enthusiasts turning up in large numbers for both events this morning.

160km riders set out from Noosa Parade at 6.00am heading west and taking in the hinterland townships of Pomona, Cooroy and Eumundi before facing some challenging accents. However, the gut wrenching climbs were rewarded with views of the North Shore and Fraser Island down to the base of the coast line.

The 100km riders joined the course at Cooyar Street and got underway at 7.45am.

After leaving Eumundi the ride headed south towards Yandina through the undulating and picturesque farmland to Bli Bli before finally hitting the ocean and signalling the stretch for home along the coast through Marcoola and over the last major climb at Coolum. The last stretch is flat to undulating but for some feel like mountains with tiring legs. It was then a quick detour around the back of Noosa to the finish on Noosa Parade, where food, refreshments, entertainment and relieving massage awaited the weary riders.

Although this was a participation event, for the more experienced cyclists keen to test their legs a group of 40 riders hit the final kilometers along Noosa Parade at speed. At the end of 160km the finish came down to a bunch sprint, with local fireman Colin Dick edging out Kable Mitchell and Mark Bown grabbing the final podium position.

“It was a great course and a good bunch of cyclists that all share the work load.

“The section of the ride through the Hinterland was spectacular, I’ll definitely be signing up again next year,” said Dick.

An incident free event largely due to the enormous planning and safety measures implemented in a joint effort by event organiser, USM EVENTS, Queensland Police Service and over 400 volunteers and traffic controllers.

Beijing gold medallist Duncan Free also returned to complete his second 160km ride along with 25 other Telstra workmates. Free won gold with Drew Ginn in the coxless pair, and is now preparing for London 2012.

An exhausted but pleased Free said after the 160km ride he couldn’t believe what a fantastic event it was finishing a credible 7th.

“We weren’t sprinting but no one was talking either – the pace was on.

“The hills were ‘interesting’ but not heartbreaking. I thought it was a better ride than last year, the start/finish also worked well.

“I did al lot of cycling leading into Beijing and will certainly be doing the same in the lead up to the London Olympics,” he said.

The 100km finishers were not far behind, their course slightly different to the 160km. The lead group a lot smaller but as full of purpose and produced another sprint to the line.

Taking line honours was Crispy Radburnd from Woombye ahead of Brian O’Connell and David McAdam.

The event attracted a huge range of entrants from local Noosa resident 73 year old Phil Scott taking on the 160km ride to 18 year old Thomas Declan contesting the 100km ride.

Race Director, Nathan Bassett, said it was very reassuring seeing motorists and cyclists share the road during today’s ride.

“Drivers and cyclists were very courteous and tolerant of one another. This is precisely the sort of etiquette and mutual respect we hope to see cultivated more and more on Australian roads,” said Bassett.

For further information or to arrange interviews or photographs contact:

Lisa Pringle              0417 005 743        lisa@usmevents.com.au
Diane Ainsworth      0412 000 606        diane@ainsworthpr.com.au