GEELONG WINS NEW BIKE TOUR

Geelong has cemented its reputation as a top-flight cycling destination with the introduction of a new tour and the acquisition of the Victorian open road championships.

The five-day Tour of Geelong will be held for the first time from August 12-16.

This follows the formalisation of a three-year agreement between Geelong Major Events and the Geelong- based Caribou Publications, Australia's leading road cycling promoters.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr. John Mitchell said the Tour of Geelong would be a" fantastic event " for the region.

" It will complement Geelong's hosting of the 2010 world championships, but will also be an important on-going event in its own right," he said.

" Cycling is a booming sport and recreational leisure activity, but this will become permanent because of the way modern society is evolving."

Caribou Publications managing director John Craven said he was "tremendously excited" to be working with Geelong Major Events on creating

a new tour.

" I am sure the Tour of Geelong will receive terrific support from the Australian cycling fraternity," he said.

" The Geelong region is ideally positioned to host a great tour - the range of courses are diverse, spectacular and challenging."

The Tour of Geelong will form part of the hugely-successful Scody Cup series, Australia's premier domestic road cycling competition.

Craven said the Tour of Geelong would adopt a unique format with the incorporation of the Victorian open road championships.

The Tour will have six stages - (see proposed course below).

The last three days - made up of time trials, criteriums and road races, would be raced as Victorian championships'.

The final three days will have separate races for women as Victorian titles.

Criterium races will also be held for veteran riders.

                        THE COURSE

                                    (as proposed July 24, 2009)

             SERIES

Men's races will be the second round of the 2009 Scody Cup Series.

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