Cyclists from across the Central West and beyond are set to descend on Bathurst this weekend, for the Bathurst Cycling Classic on Saturday and Sunday.
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The event’s new name is to avoid confusion between the overall cycling festival and the actual Blayney to Bathurst (B2B) race and while the name has changed, the highlight has not.
Sunday’s Blayney to Bathurst 110 kilometre long course is again a qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, one of only two qualifiers in Australia.
This year’s UCI Gran Fondo World Championships will be in the Italian city of Varese, one renowned for its cycling.
Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger said he’s hopeful for a massive turnout for the classic.
“We’re expecting to attract participants from all over the Central West and beyond,” he said.
“Hopefully this results in many visitors to the region over the weekend.”
The B2B also consists of 70 kilometre long course, however this does not act as a Gran Fondo qualifier.
“The 110 kilometre is a challenging and scenic route and one of the only fully closed road races in NSW and the 70 kilometre route takes riders through the picturesque villages of Newbridge, Georges Plains and Perthville,” Cr Hanger said.
The B2B long course starts from 8.30am, with cyclists starting at Blayney’s Adventure Playground on Adelaide Street.
The short course starts from 10.15am.
Returning for this year’s B2B is the Village, a place where cyclists and spectators can socialise, drink and eat at the B2B’s finish line at Mount Panorama.
Included in the Bathurst Cycling Classic is the NSW Hill Climb Championships, which will take place at Mount Panorama on Saturday.
As well, criterium racing will return to Bathurst’s CBD on Saturday – from 9am to 5pm – with a larger circuit than last year.
Criterium racing is a style of road racing conducted on circuits of one kilometre, with riders who are lapped eliminated from the race meaning leaders attack regularly to break up the field.
Families will have the opportunity to experience the official criterium racing course from the elite riders view as the circuit is cleared for the children to take a ride from midday on Saturday.
Children must have their own suitable bike and safety equipment to ride around the course.
All children who ride must be confident riders or supervised by an adult.