Cycling Queensland

Victoria’s oldest and most prestigious stage race, the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, will return for its 60th edition in January 2013 to complete Australia’s summer of cycling program.
 
The Victorian Government and the Herald & Weekly Times today announced the new look four-day Tour will be held from Thursday, 3 to Sunday, 6 January.
 
Starting with an individual time trial in Williamstown, the Tour will take in regional centres Sunbury, Bendigo, Michelton Winery and Healesville, culminating with the highly popular Arthurs Seat climb on the Mornington Peninsula.
 
Changes in the global cycling calendar have resulted in the decision to move the race to January, a move that will complement the existing summer cycling events in Australia.
 
The summer of cycling will heat up from New Years Day to Thursday, 3 January with the Michelton Bay Cycling Classic Critérium that will coincide with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour prologue.

The coveted Cycling Australia Road National Championships will follow from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 in Ballarat before the action heads to South Australia for the Tour Down Under from January 20 – 27.
 
Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said the Tour was firmly entrenched in Victoria’s sporting calendar, and the move to January would provide an opportunity for more Victorians to be inspired by the competing cyclists and also to enjoy the race during their summer holidays.
 
“After the success of the 2010 UCI Road World Championships and 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, we look forward to again hosting the colour and excitement of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour cycling peloton to Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.
 
“The Tour provides us with the ultimate opportunity to showcase some of the state’s most impressive attributes, including regional and coastal areas.”
 
A hard and fast 5.36km individual time trial along Williamstown beach line, where wind could play a vital role, will provide a scenic and unpredictable start to the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in 2013.
 
The first of the three road race stages will begin in the Melbourne town of Sunbury and make the 142km journey to the centrepiece of Victoria, Bendigo. Riders will make a similar-length journey on stage two when they race from Michelton Winery to Healesville in the state’s north-east.
 
The final stage will be similar to that of the penultimate day in 2011, with a challenging stage centred around the well-known Arthurs Seat climb. Starting in Cape Schank, the significantly shorter 86km stage is no easy feat and is likely to decide the next name to join the exclusive list of Australian cycling stars on the honour roll.
 
News Ltd Victorian Regional Director Mark Gardy said the Jayco Herald Sun Tour is one of Australia’s long standing sporting traditions and is looking forward to seeing it thrive in its new position in the Australian cycling calendar.
 
“The Jayco Herald Sun Tour has a long and proud history,” Mr Gardy said.
 
“It has played a major role in the development of the next generation of Australian riders since it was first held in 1952 and it is the performances of cyclists such as Nathan Haas at last year’s event, and subsequent 2012 season with WorldTour outfit Garmin-Sharp, that forms the foundation of what this event is about.”
 
Klaus Mueller, president of Cycling Australia, is pleased to see the formation of such a strong trio of cycling events for fans across the state.
 
“Cycling Australia is delighted to assist the development of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and facilitate a move of the event to January to help create the Australian summer of cycling and allow the cycling community to access elite riders across three prestigious events in Victoria,” Mr Mueller said.
 
The Jayco Herald Sun Tour honour roll features the likes of 2012 Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins, Tour de France sprint champion Baden Cooke and stage winners Neil Stephens and Simon Gerrans; and Russell Mockridge, Barry Waddell, Shane and Gary Sutton.
 
The 2013 Jayco Herald Sun Tour will be presented by Jayco and the Herald Sun, along with the continued support from the Victorian State Government.
 
2013 Jayco Herald Sun Tour
 
What:
60th edition of Victoria’s oldest stage race
 
When:
Thursday, 3 to Sunday, 6 January 2013
 
Course:
Prologue - Thursday, 3 January – Williamstown ITT
Stage 1 - Friday, 4 January - Melbourne to Bendigo
Stage 2 - Saturday, 5 January - Mitchelton Winery to Healesville
Stage 3 - Sunday, 6 January - Cape Schank to Arthurs Seat
 
For further information (media only), please contact the Jayco Herald Sun Tour media team:
 
Taryn Kirby – Jump Media & Marketing
Email: taryn@jumpmedia.com.au
Phone: +61 (0)3 9822 7110
Mobile: +61 (0)433 665 055