MANNING Cycle Club hopes to build its Super Summer Criterium Series into a major event on the NSW calendar.
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The inaugural program will be held on Saturday November 5 and Sunday November 6 with racing at Kolodong and the criterium track at Taree Recreation Centre.
“We’ll have $1200 in prizemoney and we hope to get around 100 riders,’’ Manning Cycle Club president Michael Cross said.
“There’s not much racing of this type north of Newcastle, so we’re hoping this will help us attract entries.’’
Cross expects riders from Newcastle, Tamworth and Armidale will make the trip as well as a strong contingent from the Manning club and Port Macquarie.
Former professional cyclist Nick Gates could also be here for the weekend. Gates, from Taree, had a long career racing in Europe that included two starts in the Tour de France. He now lives on the Gold Coast after being previously based in Thailand.
“His young bloke’s going really well at the moment and I know Gatsie’s wants to come down here,’’ Cross said.
He isn’t sure how keen Gates will be right to ride.
"But if he doesn’t compete I’ll get him doing the race announcing,’’ Cross added.
Racing will start on the Saturday with a time trial followed by a criterium at Kolodong from 2pm, Cross explaining the course at Kolodong is perfect for time trials. The club races there regularly.
There’s be another criterium at the Taree Recreation Centre track on Sunday from 8am.
Cross is confident that with the increasing popularity of criterium racing, the event will grow.
“We’ve got the $1200 in prizemoney for this year so that will be a lure,’’ he said.
“This will be our first crack and we can build on it from there.’’
The club races on Wednesday afternoons at the recreation centre circuit. This is for the club’s juniors and senior riders.
Pictured above: Manning Cycle Club members training for the criterium weekend (back): Nigel Ferguson, Mick Cross, Michael DeWright, Isaiah DeWright, Ben Cross, Alex Cross, Peter McKay. Front: Isaac McKay, Hamish McKay, Kobi Mathiske, Jayden Budden.