Wollongong will see the opening round of the NSW Grand Prix Cycling Series on Saturday 26 November

Wollongong City Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor David Brown launched the cycling series at Flagstaff Hill with last year’s winners Chris Sutton and Rochelle Gilmore along with World Junior Champions Scott and Jackson Law as well as rising star Sammy Nelson from St George.

Council is undertaking major changes to the 660 metre circuit around Flagstaff Hill, removing speed humps and traffic islands and resurfacing the roadway. It will be a superfast circuit including a climb to the lighthouse and a lightening fast sprint.

Wollongong has been introduced to the Series for the first time but was a feature of the Tooheys Grand Prix series in 1985 and the internationally acclaimed Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic in the 1980s and 1990s.

The 2011 NSW Grand Prix Series, supported by Destination NSW, will be staging three events – a Masters series, Women’s International and Men’s International Grand Prix.

Sutton has since won some big events including the first road stage of the Tour of Spain whilst Gilmore, the defending Commonwealth Games champion is in great form and looking to maintain her dominance in Australian Women Cycling.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery OAM said the Grand Prix Cycling will offer all citizens an opportunity to view some of the best cyclists in Australia take part in an exciting and testing Grand Prix event.

“Wollongong welcomes the opportunity to host a Grand Prix cycling event on Flagstaff Hill,” Cr Bradbery said. “This is an event that all family members can enjoy, not only those who are enthusiast cyclists. I encourage all community members and visitors to the city to enjoy the cycling events featuring World Champion cyclists like Wollongong’s own Ben Kersten, Scott and Jackson Law. I would also encourage everyone to also enjoy a walk on Belmore Basin or a meal in Wollongong city.”

Racing commences at 12.30pm with the Masters event staged over 36 laps, followed by the Women’s Grand Prix, also 36 laps from 1.40pm before the Men’s International Grand Prix will be staged over 54 laps of the circuit. The men will commence at 2.30pm.

The exciting aspect for Wollongong is the live coverage on Network Nine being screened nationally. Race Promoter
Phill Bates AM said: “There are few more exciting and picturesque courses in Australia than Wollongong with the beach, the lighthouse, the parklands, the ocean and boat harbour providing a spectacular back drop.”

Network Nine’s coverage will be screened nationally from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

One of the stars returning to Wollongong for the event will be Ben Kersten, the 4 times World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist from 2006 who defeated Chris Sutton in the 2009 Cronulla Grand Prix in a photo finish. Kersten is focussing his attention on the road and also won the US Pro Criterium Championship and will be keen to impress back on his home turf and will team with Scott Law with the Jayco-2XU team. After Wollongong the cyclists will head for Cronulla for the final of the two race series - another prolific circuit that has played host to international cycling since 2006.