The 2017 Blayney to Bathurst (B2B) Cycling Festival has been declared a success after Sunday’s event culminated in more than 2000 registered riders.
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Riders set off in waves from 8.30am in Blayney on Sunday and pushed themselves through the challenging course to its finish line at Mount Panorama.
Dylan Sunderland was the big winner on the day, claiming back-to-back B2B titles after posting a time of two hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds.
It was also a big day for Lucy Bechtel, who was the first female across the line, with a time of 2:59:58.
Meanwhile, the 70 kilometre short course was won by Stewart Campbell in 1:49.27.
The first female in the short course was Bathurst girl Kirsten Howard, who finished with a time of 1:50:08.
Mayor Graeme Hanger OAM said it was a great weekend for the city and the feedback from the riders was excellent.
“Not one person has said they wouldn’t be back next year,” he said.
The huge entry list for Sunday’s race was attributed to this year’s B2B being a qualifier for the Union Cycliste International (UCI) Gran Fondo World Championships, to be held in Albi, France in August.
Around 500 riders attempted to qualify.
“This is a great turnout. Probably the best thing they’ve ever done is making it [a qualifier] for the UCI Gran Fondo,” Bathurst competitor Craig Hutton said.
“It has brought a lot of people to town.”
It was a point Cr Hanger could agree on.
“They’ve all been here, for many of them, two or three nights – which is great – and that is what we are encouraging,” he said.
“Sporting tourism in Bathurst is very much alive and well.”
The cycling festival included more than just Sunday’s endurance race.
On Friday was the Family Fun Challenge at Mount Panorama for younger riders.
This was followed on Saturday by the Hill Climb Challenge, criterium racing at Mount Panorama and twilight racing in the central business district.
