Bike tour on the way

By Kath Gannaway
THE 2008 Jayco Herald Sun Tour will kick off in Traralgon on Sunday 12 October and include the Yarra Valley and Marysville on its route before finishing in Lygon Street, Carlton, six days later.
The 57th edition of Australia’s oldest stage race will continue the growth of an iconic Victorian sporting event and will, for the first time, be based predominantly in Gippsland and eastern Victoria.
The 2008 Tour will host 14 teams of seven riders making up the 98 rider field and includes: The Tour is one of Victoria’s heritage sporting events, created in 1952 by Victorian newspaper The Sun.
An estimated 500,000 spectators witnessed the first event and of the 56 starters only 18 finished.
Tour director Michael Hands said this year’s route had been carefully constructed with the riders in mind while retaining the key climbing and time trial stages that have become a feature of the event in recent years.
“We recognise that after a long year, the world’s best cyclists don’t want to face a torture test.
“However, they still want a challenge and this year they will face a tough climb to Mt Buller and then a spectacular individual time trial at TarraWarra, Healesville, in the Yarra Valley.”
Yarra Valley and Marysville enthusiasts can see the ride when it comes from Neerim South through Powelltown, Gilderoy, Three Bridges, Gladysville, Yarra Junction, Wesburn, Milgrove, Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton and on to Marysville where they are expected to arrive about 2pm.
Stage five on Friday 17 October will be a 15 kilometre individual time trial starting at TarraWarra Estate, Healesville at 2pm. The last rider will depart at around 3.30pm.
Full details of the course, along with tour fact sheets, are available at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour website: www.jaycoheraldsuntour. com.au.