I had the opportunity to meet with Rob Carson, General Manager of events group Cykel, one beautiful Melbourne morning; I was on the hunt for more information about the Women’s Grand Prix and an understanding of Rob’s passion for creating this event for female cyclists.
Rob realised pretty quickly about the lack of women’s racing outside of the club structure in Victoria and all over Australia. Rob has done what nobody else had managed to do; a series of races that will be action packed!
Rob included me in on an email recently from Bec Domange, a local A grade racer who recently put together a seminar about understanding bike racing, Rob asked Bec to give her thoughts towards the series, Bec made the following comments.
Riders such as Kathy Watt, Anna Wilson of the late 90s to Emma Rickards and Olivia Gollan racing well into the New Millennium and the riders currently taking the world by storm Rochelle Gilmore, Chloe Hosking and Shara Gillow have set the bar for what can be achieved by Australian Women.
Cykle Events is providing an opportunity like never before right here in Metropolitan and Regional Victoria. A criterium series solely for women. Providing women of all abilities the opportunity to race on some of the best circuits in Victoria, with the added bonus of substantial prize money and all run in the most professional environment possible. It is sure to rival the atmosphere of Speed Week in the USA and the Kermesses in Belgium.
The racing will be fast, tactical and team oriented. It is sure to not only increase the already rapidly growing nature of Women’s cycling but give the women in the peloton the exposure and support they deserve. It is an opportunity to experience the biggest event in Women’s cycling Victoria has ever seen!
Here is some of what you need to know.
– A four-round series of cycling races to be held throughout Victoria (Australia), the Women’s Grand Prix will allow women to battle it out for over $5,000 in cash and prizes in this teams-based event.
– The Women’s Grand Prix has been designed to address the shortfalls in many club-level cycling races in Victoria, with a lack of women’s-only event and minimal team-based events.
– The Women’s Grand Prix will also incorporate a three-round series for under 17-aged girls.
Rob Carson, General Manager of events group, Cykel, declared "This series is expected to be hotly contested by women from around Victoria and interstate, with new teams being established and a rivalry setting into women’s cycling that hasn’t been seen in Victoria before."
Still not sure? Here’s some of the finer print about teams.
The Women’s Grand Prix is a team’s event. Collusion is allowed and encouraged. It is preferred that all riders within a team wear similar jerseys for identification. Note that teams do not need to be Cycling Victoria or Cycling Australia registered teams to participate as a team in the Women’s Grand Prix.
Not a racer? These races will be an exciting day out for anyone interested in bikes, it will be fast racing and lots of action. This is a great opportunity to find out a bit more about racing and perhaps even spark a new interest; everyone is welcome.
When and where?
Round 1
Saturday December 17th, 2011
Macpherson’s Park
Coburns Rd, Melton
Hosted by: Melton Cycling Club
Round 2
Saturday January 28, 2012
Casey Fields
Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne
Hosted by: Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Round 3
Sunday February 12, 2012
Mayfair Park, Bendigo
Bendigo
Hosted by: Bendigo Cycling Club
Round 4
Saturday March 3, 2012
National Boulevard, Campbellfield
Hosted by: Coburg Cycling Club
This is a great opportunity for women to race with friends and create that foundation for women’s cycling in Australia, for entries and more information go to www.cykelevents.com.au/page/womensgp we look forward to seeing you racing.
About the Author
Rowena Scott is an enthusiastic Melbourne based cyclist and is giving women’s cycling a well deserved push by covering women’s cycling topics for Bicycles Network Australia and SheRides Cycling.
