2011 Classic

Giacoppo Triumphs on Shipwreck Coast

 

 

The Shipwreck Coast cycling Classic, originally designed as a support event for the iconic Melbourne to Warrnambool road race, has received a giant boost from the sport's governing body, Cycling Australia.

The 117km event, which features the spectacular Great Ocean Road, has been elevated into CA's exclusive men's National Road Teams Series for 2011.

And, perhaps more importantly, the classic will form part of  CA's inaugural Women's Road Team Series.

There are only 11 events nationwide in the men's series and seven on the new women's calendar.

Shipwreck Coast Classic director John Craven said he was surprised but delighted with CA's seal of approval.

" I thought it would take us a few more years to earn this status but this is a huge accolade for the race, " he said.

The Shipwreck Coast Classic, starting in Warrnambool and finishing in Allansford, was founded in 2009 by the Warrnambool Citizens' Road Race Committee, in league with Warrnambool City Council and Tourism Victoria.

Its chief purpose was to help generate a double-banger cycling tourism weekend, encouraging riders, crews, officials and supporters to remain in the region for an overnight stay following the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic, also on the men's teams calendar since the series was conceived in 2008.

The 2011 "Warrnambool" will be held on Saturday, October 29, with the Shipwreck Coast Classic the next day.

The "Warrnambool" usually attacts a 200-strong field, with around 100 lining up for the Shipwreck Coast Classic.

Queenslander Cameron Jennings won the inaugural Shipwreck race in 2009. Melbourne's Steele Von Hoff took the honors last year.

Craven said the Shipwreck Coast Classic's undulating picturesque course was an ideal location to stage a not-too-difficult event the day after the Melbourne to Warrnambool.

He said most of Australia's big trade teams would be enticed into entering the Shipwreck Coast Classic if they wanted to win CA's prestigious national teams championship.

"It will almost certainly result in a better quality, larger field, " he said.

Warrnambool Citizens' Road Race Committee president Brendan Gleeson welcomed the classic's tick-up into a nationally-rated race.

"The committee is especially pleased that the Shipwreck Coast Classic has gained inclusion into the new women's series, " he said.

"The course is perfect for a top-flight women's race."

 

More course details here : Shipwreck Coast Course

 

 

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