Cyclists in the saddle for massive weekend

IF you are driving through Blayney tomorrow morning make sure you watch out for the cyclists - all 550 of them.

A strong Orange cycling contingent will head to Blayney tomorrow morning for the 2010 Blayney to Bathurst bike ride as the cycling pros and enthusiasts alike head out on either the 110km long course or the 70km short course.

Headed by Orange Cycle Club members Rodney Farrell, Michael Cain and Michael Troy, cyclists from the city will contest the Blayney to Bathurst along with the New South Wales Hillclimb and the Criterium around Mount Panorama this morning.

Several teams are expected to race in the event including brand new cycling team the Racing Kangaroos which boasts some of the best young riders in the state including James Sheahan Catholic High School student Angus Tobin.

“You have your top riders there trying to do really well like Blair Windsor and Angus Tobin will be there too,” Troy said

“There is also your weekend warrior who’s just looking to beat the time he set last year.”

Competing in both the hillclimb and the criterium, Troy is expecting tough competition from not only a number of Sydney riders but also the ride up Mount Panorama.

“Basically it is a race from the bottom to the top on a service road out the back of the mount,” Troy said.

“It is tough, pretty steep. You’re trying to get the best time you possibly can so you’re just going flat out the entire time.”

Once the tough hillclimb has been completed riders will take a short lunch as they prepare themselves for the more subdued bike ride of the day, the criterium.

“That race starts at the back of the pits complex and goes up around through the pit chicanes and then right up pit straight,” he said.

“It is a 1.1 kilometre circuit track and the guys will probably ride it in just over a minute or so which is pretty quick going.

“It is probably more technical than difficult. There are 25 riders per grade and you’re classed with other riders that have similar ability so it is a very tight race.”

The NSW Hillclimb Championships will commence at 9am today.

The Blayney to Bathurst short course event to get underway at 10am tomorrow and the 110km long course will start at 8:30am.