By KATH GANNAWAY
TWO major cycling events will bring an influx of visitors to Warburton over the next two weekends.
The inaugural Giro della Donna Gran Fondo on Sunday, 22 November, and the Vertical K on Sunday, 29 November, will pump the concept of Warburton and the Warburton Valley as a cycling destination that has the potential to revitalise the town.
The Gran Fondo is a 100-kilometre ride that will take riders on a circuit that takes in the Reefton Spur through to Marysville and back along the Acheron Way from Narbethong to the summit of Mount Donna Buang.
The Vertical K pits cyclists and trail runners against each other, the clock, and Mount Donna Buang over road and trail courses that rise over a vertical kilometre to the top.
Event organisers are excited about the location and the opportunity to stage their events in what they say are premium cycle locations – close to Melbourne and offering outstanding natural beauty, along with the level of challenge that the top performers in cycling and running are looking for.
Warburton Valley CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association) president, Peta Godenzi, and Yarra Ranges Council’s O’Shannassy Ward representative, Cr Jim Child, say these two events are part of the bigger picture for Warburton as a world-class cycling drawcard.
“What we’re looking at is Warburton as a cycling destination, not just pushing for the Warburton mountain bike hub,” Cr Child said.
“We want the trails, but we want the road cycling events as well.”
Cr Child said the town would learn from the experience of having two huge cycling events in a row.
“We are going to have a huge influx of visitors to the town and that will be a real test, but everyone has been made aware and I think it’s going to be a great experience.
“For those promoters to get involved with the town, calling for marshalls and other personnel to help manage the events, I think is tremendous,” he said.
Ms Godenzi was also optimistic about the coming weekends saying the events could, with participants, support people and family, bring thousands of potential ‘promoters’ into the town.
“That means dollars and it promotes our town and region,” she said.
“These people go away and talk about us and may come back for social rides in the future.”
She said the same was true of the Vertical K, which would see the focus on Mount Donna Buang as something other than a winter destination.
Gran Fondo is staged by Cycling Tips and spokesman, Andy Van Bergen was also excited to be staging the inaugural event over roads, and within a landscape he said was unique.
He said the gravel road across the Acheron Way was a unique aspect of the course for road cycling events and one which had proved to be a big drawcard to the event.
“It’s just one of the unique things about this course, and the reason why we wanted it so badly,” Mr Van Bergen said.
“It is our favourite training course and every single kilometre of it is absolutely beautiful.
“If anyone is looking for distraction from the pain they are going through, there will be plenty to see.
“We can’t wait to introduce people to this region,” he said adding that while the majority of competitors are from around Melbourne, there are entries from interstate and overseas including Singapore and the United States.
Vertical K event director, Sam Maffett from Rapid Ascent, said the event was not for the weak-hearted.
“The Big Donna climb is not famous because it’s easy,” he said, describing the event as the ‘ultimate test of strength over a vertical kilometre for trail runners and cyclists’.”
Gira della Donna Gran Fondo leaves from the Warburton Recreation Ground at 7am with the entire peloton heading out towards East Warburton in a replication of some of the big classic touring events.
The Vertical K will also start from the recreation reserve at 8.30am the following Sunday.
For more information, www.rapidascent.com.au for Vertical K and www.cyclingtips.com.au for Donna Gran Fondo.
