Sport
19 May, 2022
Wyreema hosting major cycling event
The first Queensland two-day Open Cycling Carnival in more than 10 years this weekend, 21 and 22 May, will see cyclists racing up and down Umbiram Road from Wyreema out towards Southbrook.
The organisation and staging of this prestigious two day event was awarded to the Darling Downs Cycling Club (DDCC) by the national body of the sport, Auscycling.
The two days of competition will start with a full day of Criterium races for both female and male cyclists in all age groups from Under 15 through to Elite A and 70 plus Masters.
The next day, Sunday, will be the Queensland Individual Time Trial Series, a 13-event program which is being organised by local Physio and Club member Matt Haswell.
In the world of cycling Individual Time Trials are widely known as “the race of truth’ as riders pit themselves against the stop watch over a variety of distances up to 25 kilometres.
The Time Trial events will be held on an out-and-back course on Unbiram Road and will be conducted in accordance with a Queensland Police Service Permit and Auscycling Rules and regulations.
Club President Mr Tom Galbraith said the DDCC was extremely appreciative of the support, encouragement and cooperation provided by both the Toowoomba Regional Council and the local office of the Queensland Police Service.
All the Time Trial events will start and finish from almost in front of the Wyreema Community Hall on the corner of Unbiram Road and Margetts Street.
Well known cycling identity and club Life Member John Osborne OAM has been appointed as the Race and Event Director for the Criterium Events, which will be held on the Peter Watts Criterium Course adjacent to the Toowoomba Showgrounds on Harvey Road, Glenvale.
Mr Galbraith said Criterium events are fast and furious and provide plenty of excitement for both spectators and competitors alike.
He said that the two days of competition are open to the community.
Refreshments, toilet facilities and plenty of nearby parking will be available and there is no admission to either meeting.
“It’s very much a full weekend of cycling with the Criteriums providing fast tight and exciting racing whereas the Individual Time Trials will provide the more demanding and technical aspects of the sport,” Mr Galbraith said.
Among the competitors will be Nick Banks-Watson, who has been racing very well this season.
Banks-Watson said he has been racing since 1999, competing in mountain bike, cyclocross, road, track, time trial and crit events.
“We moved to Toowoomba when I was 12 and as I got more serious with my cycling engaged local legend Peter Watts as my coach for several seasons,” Banks-Watson said.
“To this day he is the only coach I’ve had but his advice and guidance have always stayed with me.”
At the Masters Track Nationals in April, Banks-Watson picked up four golds, two silvers and two state records.
He was also the overall series winner in the Masters A division at the Sizzling Summer Series hosted by the Logan Cycling Club.
