Big names turn out for the best Bass Coast Cycle Challenge yet

RECORD numbers turned out for the sixth edition of the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge held on Saturday, November 12 in Inverloch and they included the former Australian racing cyclist and SBS commentator Dave McKenzie, the first non-European to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Phil Anderson, and Australia’s current hand cycle race and time trial champion for class H3, Alex Welsh.
Over 700 riders took part in the four key rides with hundreds pounding the pavement in the fun run and taking part in other festival activities run by the Lions Club such as billy cart races, bike decorating and skate/BMX competitions.
According to event director and founder of the Bass Coast Cycle Challenge and Festival, Gavin Slavin, this year’s event was the biggest event yet and well received by the local community.
“Our entrant numbers are increasing every year, attracting local and international participants, some from as far away as Canada!”
With proceeds from the cycling event funding in-school courses which arm the next generation with life saving road and driver knowledge, Slavin believes this is a driving force behind the event’s success and ongoing support from the local community.
“Proceeds from the riding event provide the opportunity for school kids to receive a fantastic driver education cycling awareness program called RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) run by a not for profit organisation Road Safety Education Australia.
“Support for this event over the past few years has enabled us to fund over 1500 secondary school students from the South Gippsland and Bass Coast areas, to take part in the RYDA Road Safety Education where students learn knowledge and skills which they will retain for life, and pass onto others too.”
The RYDA program is one of the road safety initiatives in Victoria that have contributed to the number of young people killed in road crashes falling by 48 percent over the past decade.
According to the first across the line for the longest ride of 121km, David Gafa, this is an event which the community can be proud.
“This is a great ride and event; I’m proud of the event that has been created and well done to all involved,” said Mr Gafa who crossed the line in the super fast time of 3:42:59.
Slavin says the event could not have been possible with the support of some key people and groups.
“The community really rally behind this event to make it a success, the Lions Club, our incredible volunteers, sponsors, local businesses, our local schools. It goes to show how important the road safety message is for our community.”

Hand cycle: well know para cyclist Alex Welsh at the finish of the race. Welsh is a familiar sight on the hilly back roads around Korumburra where he trains most days.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Nov 15 2016. Filed under Sport. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry