LOCAL hills, gaps, valleys and mountains were filled with hundreds of eager cyclists at the beginning of the month as up to 455 riders tackled the 2019 Bright Brewery Tour of Bright competition.
Labelled “iconic” and said to be one of the most fiercely contested club races on the VRS Road Series calendar, the competition was held over three days from November 29 to December 1.
Alpine Cyclin Club secretary Peter Gough said the weekend was an “overwhelming success”.
“This year’s competition was another success, in spite of having to change the course due to bushfires and finishing the Sunday stage in snow on top of Mt Buffalo,” he said.
“This year we had 455 entrants compared to last year's 368 and the competition was fierce with all riders thrilled with the challenge of the Friday Time Trial out the Buckland Valley, Saturday morning's stage from Bright over Rosewhite Gap and on up to Towonga Gap and Sunday's stage up to Dingo Dell on Mt Buffalo.
“We had the new Events Centre at Pioneer Park as the hub for this years' tour and on the Saturday afternoon conducted Criterium racing around Pioneer Park much to the thrill of approximately 500 spectators.
“The race is Australia's largest multistage ProAm club race and attracted riders from all round Australia and also from overseas.
“It would not be able to be conducted if it wasn't for the many tireless hours of the volunteers who selflessly gave their time.”
