Second Edition News for October 29, 2002

Edited by John Stevenson

Cyclists International launches 2002/3 track series

Melbourne track racing promoter Cyclists International has today announced ticket availability for its 2002/3 Fitzroy Cycles International Track Cycling Series.

The series will consist of five rounds at Melbourne's Vodafone Arena velodrome:

• Saturday, November 30: Fitzroy Cycles Melbourne Cup on Wheels
• Saturday, December 21: Australian Madison Championship
• Saturday, February 8: Dimmeys Forges Stores Wheelrace
• Saturday, March 15: Fitzroy Cycles Austral Wheelrace
• Saturday, March 29: Fitzroy Cycles Sid Patterson Grand Prix (inc Champion of Champions Wheelrace)

Jobie Dajka
Photo: © Mike Gladu

Australia has landed an impressive selection of track medals in the last couple of years and many of those winning riders are confirmed to race the series, including Sprint World Champion Sean Eadie, Keirin World Champion Jobie Dajka, dual Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Ryan Bayley, Olympic Gold medallists Brett Aitken and Scott McGrory, and World Pursuit Champions Mark Renshaw, Peter Dawson and Steven Wooldridge.

Sean Eadie
Photo: © Mike Gladu

For the 2002/3 series, Cyclists International also adds partnerships with two major local groups. Melbourne cycle store chain Fitzroy Cycles has signed on the main sponsor for the whole series, while the state's peak recreational cycling and campaigning body Bicycle Victoria will be an event partner, providing Cyclists International with a chance to spread the track cycling word to its 40,000 members.

Tickets for the series are on sale now and can be obtained from all Ticketek outlets. Ticketek can be contacted at www.ticketek.com.

Season passes for all 5 events are priced from $70.00 and individual event tickets are priced from $15.00. Family and Pensioner discounts are available.

Geelong to host 2003 Australian women's World Cup

The first round of the 2003 World Cup will take place in Geelong, Victoria on March 2, Cycling Australia and Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation Justin Madden announced today.

Australia has become the traditional launching point for the women's World Cup since hosting the first round in Sydney in 1998, and success in the first event is often a harbinger of the shape of the series. In 1999 and 2001 local hero Anna Millward won the first round and went on to take the series, while this year Millward's Saturn team-mate Petra Rossner won the Australian race, and clinched the series by winning the finale in Rotterdam.

Anna Millward wins in 2001
Photo: © Tom Balks

Millward, the 2001 world number one, won the Australian World Cup round in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and is looking forward to returning to competition next year after her 2002 season was disrupted by injury.

"I expect many riders and teams will arrive early to take advantage of the great weather and excellent training opportunities available in and around Geelong," said Ms Millward. "It provides an ideal opportunity to prepare for the first World Cup round and to build a base for the 2003 season."

Cycling Australia president Mike Victor said, "The generous support of the Victorian Government and the Council of Greater Geelong has ensured we can continue to welcome the world's best female cyclists to Australia to seek World Cup glory."

"There is no doubt the World Cup Series has been instrumental in raising the level of competition and professionalism in women's cycling and our annual hosting of the first round has encouraged the development and growth of women's cycling in Australia and the Oceania region," said Mr Victor. "Cycling fans who head to Geelong for next year's event will see some of the world's most talented cyclists do battle for the coveted World Cup leader's jersey."

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2002)