CYCLE racing comes to the Tweed in a big way this week with the fifth annual Tweed Battle on The Border hitting the roads from today.
For the next four days 618 cyclists, from international stars to weekend racers and people who just like to get out on their bikes, will take part in nine different categories on roads around the Tweed from Point Danger to Mount Warning.
Organiser Mike Crawley, from QSM Sports, said the event included rounds of the National Road Racing Series and offered a major boost to the region – not just for a couple of days.
“One of the teams involved has a team of eight riders plus a support crew and they arrived last Friday to prepare and will be here for 11 days,” he said.
“They are staying at Uki – which highlights our mission to spread the accommodation around the whole Tweed and give something back to the valley.
Another team is being supported by the Fingal Rovers Surf Lifesavers and is staying in Fingal while several of the teams are staying at the holiday parks at Pottsville.”
Mr Crawley said the event would for the first time include a market bazaar at Salt Village on Saturday night from 5pm to 9pm and Sunday from 7am to 1pm.
“This is the first year we’ve been recognised as a major emerging event by NSW tourism,” he said.
“So this year we are trying a lot of new things and next year we plan to be bigger and brighter.”
The Battle on the Border 2013 will officially get underway at 10am this morning at Point Danger – launching the first race of the Tour de Tweed five-stage multi-race series.
Starting at the most northern edge of New South Wales, overlooking the iconic Duranbah Surfing Beach, 140 of the nation’s elite riders will gather in 21 teams to race the inaugural National Road Series Men’s Classic.
Mr Crawley said the field would include some of Australia’s emerging talents that would soon be racing in international events.
“The NRS Men’s Classic will set the scene for a Battle along the Tweed coastline and out into the Tweed valley over the next four days,” he said.
“With teams from every state, and riders from both domestic and international clubs, the heat will certainly be on for this first stage to set some impressive leads early in the race program.
“Interstate teams have been in the Tweed training since late last week, along with Dracpac who have only just arrived back from Singapore races – in an attempt to catch up on lost time as local teams used their advantage since March, training most weekends.”
Race planner Stan Brims has spent 10 months working with NSW Police, RMS, and the Tweed Shire Council to present this unique race from coast to crater – point to mountain and he invited all riders and residents to join him to launch the 2013 Battle on the Border.
Local racing legend Robbie McEwen of the Tour de France will also be there to introduce riders and provide last minute technical advice before dropping the flag.
The Battle on the Border will host men’s and women’s NRS events simultaneously for the first time ever.
Road closures for Battle of the Border
Thursday 2 May, 10am to 1.30pm, Event Base to Point Danger:
Wharf St, Minjungbal Dve, Pacific Hwy, Tweed Valley Way, Cudgen Rd, Duranbah Rd, Eviron Rd, Tweed Valley Way, Burringbar Range, Brunswick Valley Way, Smiths Creek Rd, Kyogle, Mt Warning car park.
Friday 3 May, 7am to 4pm, Event Base to Murwillumbah Showgrounds:
Queensland Rd, Cane Rd,Tweed Valley Way, Bilambil Rd, Hogans Rd, Dulguigan Rd, Numinbah Rd, Nerang-Murwillumbah Rd, Zara Rd, Limpinwood Rd, Tyalgum Rd, North Arm Rd, Queensland Rd.
Saturday 4 May, 7am to 12pm, Event Base to Murwillumbah Showgrounds:
Rous St, Mayal St, Peter St, Ewing St, York St, George St, Charles St, Raymond Pl, Tumbulgum Rd, Racecourse Rd, McCloys Rd, Queensland Rd, Mooball St.
Saturday 4 May, 12pm – 5pm:
Mooball St, Rous St, Queensland Rd, Murwillumbah St.
Sunday 5 May, 7am to 3.30pm, Event Base to Salt Village:
Casuarina Way, Dianella Dr, Tweed Coast Rd, Plantation Rd, Cudgen Rd, Duranbah Rd, Eviron Rd, Clothiers Creek Rd, Watty Bishop Rd, Kanes Rd, Reserve Creek Rd, Cudgera Creek Rd, Pottsville Rd, Tweed Valley Way.
For full course details visit www.battleontheborder.com.au or call QSM Sports on 3124 6099.
