GLEN Innes is gearing up for an exciting day as the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic races through the heart of the town centre on Saturday, March 15.
Residents and visitors are invited to come down to Grey Street and experience the thrill of elite cycling while supporting local businesses and enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.
Glen Innes Severn Council mayor Margot Davis said it’s exciting to see the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic this year heading through the heart of Glen Innes.
“This gives our community a front-row seat to one of Australia’s most challenging cycling races,” Cr Davis said.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the action up close, support our local businesses and showcase our town to a national audience.
“I encourage everyone to come down to Grey Street, soak up the atmosphere and cheer on the riders as they race through our town centre.”
The Squadron Energy Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic is one of Australia’s most challenging road cycling races, renowned for its difficult terrain and gruelling distance.
Starting in the Clarence Valley, the race follows the Gwydir Highway to the New England High Country, attracting top cyclists from across the country and international competitors.
Event director Chris Thompson said Grafton to Inverell has the reputation as Australia’s toughest one day cycling race.
“It is the 64th edition of this iconic race whose list of winners and participants boasts many riders who have Olympic Games and Tour de France success,” Mr Thompson said.
“It has continued to be an important event in the development pathway for many of Australia’s aspiring cyclists and it is fitting it is a feature event of the new ProVelo Super League.
“It is very important for the race to maintain the connection to the communities that are showcased along the 229km route. We welcome the opportunity to bring the action back into the heart of Glen Innes at a point in the race that is often decisive in deciding the final selection of riders that will contest the finish in Inverell.”
The Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic gets underway on Saturday, March 15 (Image: AusCycling).
Bringing the action back through the heart of town, Glen Innes this year will be a key part of the race
route, with riders contesting a sprint point near the Australian Standing Stones before passing through the heart of the town along Grey Street.
A Feed Station will be set up along the route, supported by local volunteers, and spectators can follow the race through live radio coverage, heightening the excitement of the day.
PSL co-founder Aaron Flanagan said bringing elite cycling back to townships and city
centres to create an exciting experience for both the riders and spectators of the ProVelo Super
League is a core pillar of PSL’s strategic vision.
“Congratulations to Glen Innes Severn Council for embracing this opportunity and throwing its support behind this iconic race,” Mr Flanagan said.
Where to watch the race
The best and safest viewing area will be on the western side of Grey Street, from Wentworth Street
through to Meade Street.
Riders will be passing through between 9.15am and 2pm, or when the final support vehicle passes.
SBS coverage and radio broadcast
Catch all the excitement as SBS coverage follows the race through Glen Innes.
Coverage will be broadcast on Sunday, 16 March from 1pm to 4pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Listeners can also tune in to StarFM in the town centre to listen to live radio coverage, broadcasting every moment as the main competitors wheel through town.
To learn more about the event, visit Grafton to Inverell.
Road Closure Information
To ensure the safety of riders and spectators, temporary road closures will be in place on the day:
- Road Closure of Gwydir Highway between Bald Nob Road at Bald Nob and Tindall Road at Grafton from 5:15am to 1.30pm.
- Road Closure of Grey Street between Wentworth Street and Ferguson Street at Glen Innes, on the western side (northbound) from 7am to 2.15pm. The eastern side of Grey Street (southbound) will be open to traffic. Parallel and centre parking will be available on the eastern side of Grey Street in this section.
- Rolling Road Closures (Police and Official Vehicles Escort) of Gwydir Highway between Bald Nob Road at Bald Nob to Church Street at Glen Innes from 8.45am to 2pm.
- Rolling Road Closures (Police and Official Vehicles Escort) of Church Street between Meade Street to Wentworth/Torrington Streets at Glen Innes from 9.15am to 2pm.
- Rolling Road Closures (Police and Official Vehicles Escort) of Wentworth Street from Church Street to Grey Street at Glen Innes from 9.15am to 2pm.
- Rolling Road Closures (Police and Official Vehicles Escort) of Gwydir Highway between Ferguson Street at Glen Innes to Vivian Street at Inverell from 9.20am to 5pm.
Road closures and changed traffic conditions will be effective on Saturday, March 15.
Motorists are advised to exercise caution and be mindful of cyclists and support vehicles.
