Tour of Bright

[Aussiebullet]

Does anyone know when entries will open for this envent? Must be soon!

[skull]

I think the ballet is open already

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[Ross]

http://www.vic.cycling.org.au/?ID=51358" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The General Ballot (Individuals) for the 2013 Tour of Bright is open from Monday September 23rd until midnight Sunday September 29th.

Please note that it is not a first in, first served system as per previous years. You certainly need to enter before Sunday midnight, but it does not matter when.

A random draw of all ballot entries will be conducted on Monday September 30th in order to fill each of the ten grades (minus the 20 spots saved for the Top 20 in the 2013 Victorian Road Series). The successful entrants will be published on the CV website on Wednesday October 2nd.

[skull]

Giddy up. I'm going to try my luck

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[jules21]

you'll want to be in decent form, even for Elite/Masters C.

[Strawburger]

Oh gosh. Just put myself in for masters... If I get drawn out I may regret it!

[Ross]

you'll want to be in decent form, even for Elite/Masters C.

Yes. ToB C grade is pretty much A grade club level.

[jules21]

Yes. ToB C grade is pretty much A grade club level.

in fairness, the organisers have taken some positive steps to rectify this. previously, events like this may as well have been called Sandbaggers World Road Championships. the first 20 places in each grade are still offered to the top 20 finishers in that grade from last year's race. but the next 20 are offered to the top 20 points holders in that grade's state road series. i've raced against the latter and they're not A graders, although they can do a good impersonation of them. but some of the ring-ins who finished top 20 from last year's race probably are.

[nescius]

Entry lists are up here, I managed to get a spot along with almost all of the guys in my team, only one missed out

[jules21]

good luck to all BNAers lining up. i am aiming to get a start next year, by scoring points in the state series.

[skull]

Yes I am in...

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[doggatas]

Using the Hell Fire cup as a final tune up event for the ToB hey Skull?

[skull]

Yeah mate, I'll either be super fit or overcooked.

I am getting into Hobart the day before HFC so we'll need to catch up.

[Strawburger]

I'm in. Now I need to train

[jules21]

how did all you blokes get entries?

[nailsaslegs]

Yep Im in. Masters 3. Also going to race the Sprint Eliminator!

I raced last year as well and most of C Grade top 20 were A Graders from various Clubs, including a Australian U17 TT Champion, and an A Grader who was the winner of a recent Tour.....oh and your not allowed to race as a team unless your in Teams event...that didn't stop either even with the threat of being pinged for it.

That being said, ToB is the best amateur racing in Australia, something you have to be in form for alright.

[jules21]

ok so on a whim i entered in the last ballot yesterday - Masters C. am bringing running shoes with me on holiday!

[Derny Driver]

I raced last year as well and most of C Grade top 20 were A Graders from various Clubs, including a Australian U17 TT Champion, and an A Grader who was the winner of a recent Tour.....oh and your not allowed to race as a team unless your in Teams event...that didn't stop either even with the threat of being pinged for it.

That being said, ToB is the best amateur racing in Australia....

Im never going back ...and Ive raced ToB myself personally since 1998 and after I stopped racing have gone every year as mechanic /cook / helper for clubmates. Unfortunately the race is now a ridiculously expensive joke.
Last year my son and his cousin raced C grade. As an example, my young bloke races A grade in our club. On the weekend he got in a break with a guy who rides pro with Genesys, and 3 other part time NRS riders. They put 3 minutes into a bunch of 12 on a flat 36km course. He ran 3rd in a tight sprint against NSW cyclist of the year and world class track sprinter. so he goes alright, he can sprint, climb and Time Trial. He wasnt at 100% in the ToB, even so he could only manage about 40th on GC. He came 10th or 11th in the TT and his time would have put him on the podium in previous years but not last year. His cousin who is better than him and was fit ...could only manage 5th on GC, this is a kid who can climb and has outsprinted Caleb Ewan and has experience in State Opens off scratch. This year he got B grade, which will probably be easier actually.
Last years gradings were a joke, the teaming was a joke, the entry fees were a joke ...Im not spending the money and travelling to a race where you know you have NO CHANCE before you even start. My ToB days have finished.
Its a shame cos its such a nice town, I'd prefer to bring the boys down for a training weekend or something like that.
Anyway, thats my rant, good luck - you'd have more chance of a result riding A grade than C grade though.

PS prizemoney for 5th on GC was $50 ! (entry fee $145)

[jules21]

I raced last year as well and most of C Grade top 20 were A Graders from various Clubs, including a Australian U17 TT Champion, and an A Grader who was the winner of a recent Tour.....oh and your not allowed to race as a team unless your in Teams event...that didn't stop either even with the threat of being pinged for it.

CV seems to struggle with handicapping. i noticed a guy from in my club, who is an animal was put in C this year but moved up after complaining. many would stay silent

i just expect to get smashed. looking at the entry list, there are a number of riders who i can joust with. undoubtedly the top places will go to sandbaggers. i don't expect to podium.

PS prizemoney for 5th on GC was $50 ! (entry fee $145)

to be honest i wouldn't care if it was $0. the effort and cost of organising these events is huge - the entry fee is cheap all things considered.

[nailsaslegs]

Im never going back ...and Ive raced ToB myself personally since 1998 and after I stopped racing have gone every year as mechanic /cook / helper for clubmates. Unfortunately the race is now a ridiculously expensive joke.
Last year my son and his cousin raced C grade.

I know who you mean they came and raced in Tas last year at Southern Valley Tour, looking forward to SVT 2014 with them with an even stronger team!

[Derny Driver]

I know who you mean they came and raced in Tas last year at Southern Valley Tour, looking forward to SVT 2014 with them with an even stronger team!

Oh yeah, we had a great time, boys loved the racing, and are keen to come back. Rob has already been in contact.
You guys are always welcome to come up to NSW and race with us too. I'll look after you if you are interested.

[nailsaslegs]

Indeed I am one year...just need to find the right event...TT and a crit would be good. Do you have a two day tour or something similar?

[Strawburger]

Righteo, how did everyone go?

Me, just shy of 39km/hr. Mid to back of the pack. Would have been quite a few places up in men's b and men's c, however masters b looks to be the correct grade for me so far. I may change that comment after tomorrow!!!

[skull]

Just over 36km/h at the back of the bunch in Masters C.

[nescius]

Somehow I plucked a decent time out of my rear end and am sitting in 1st position in C Grade. I was a bit worried about all of the TT bikes and disc wheels rolling around because I just had a set of clip-ons and an aero helmet. I think the wind died down a fair bit by the time I started just after 4pm so that must have helped a lot. I'm still a bit shocked at how quick it was, I knew it was going to be ok because I passed maybe 6 people on course but I didn't think it was that quick.

Anyway, we'll see how I go up the hills tomorrow, might be a different story!