• Event Day Report

• Participant Feedback

• VIP Team Winner

• Fuse Photography

• Will Walker Challenge

• Michael Forbes Foundation

• Jersey Competition Winner

• Hotham

• Survey Winner

• Upcoming Cycling Events

Crisp spring weather greeted almost 2,000 passionate cyclists as they tackled both 70km & 120km courses in some of Victoria’s most pristine riding country. The day started with the Mayor of Whittlesea, CR Elizabeth Nealy sending riders off in style.

Grouping riders by estimated finish times and sending them off in regular waves meant that the likelihood of large packs developing was reduced and thereby made the course safer. The on course mobile mechanical support provided by SRAM were kept busy attending to a wide range of problems, from derailers, to the usual punctures. Thanks to the SRAM team for all of their assistance.

Cyclists wound their way through the picturesque towns of Yan Yean, Arthurs Creek and St Andrews, before taking on the daunting 7.2km Kinglake climb where times were tested against professional cyclist Will Walker. This was one of the highlights of the course!

The feedback we’ve received from the post-event survey has a number of people concerned with the rough road surface of Humevale Rd (the last decent). When finalizing the course months ago, SuperSprint were directed by Vic Roads, Police and Council to use Humevale Road instead of Whittlesea-Yea Road due to it being a notorious accident Black Spot. The safety of competitors is always a very high priority with SuperSprint, highlighted by the thorough and responsive support with Ambulance Victoria and Medical Support Vehicles on course.

Although the day started with perfect spring weather, high winds in the afternoon caused us to take down the finish arch as a safety precaution for cyclist finishing the ride. Apologies to those riders who were not greeted with the finish arch.

A steady stream of riders arrived back to the Whittlesea Showgrounds to enjoy the entertainment, refreshments and massage, with the last rider crossing the finish line just after 4pm.

Thank you to all participants, staff, sponsors and volunteers who helped deliver yet another first class SuperSprint event. We look forward to seeing you again in 2009.

+ Click Here for Photo Gallery

Plenty of positive feedback has been received in our office, following is a few of the comments we have received:

• "I participated with 4 of my mates (Team Scopeco) and we loved it. We did the 120km ride and all thought it was a fantastic course. Great roads, great scenery, challenging hills and great descents. In terms of organisation I don't believe you could have done a better job, from the ample parking and parking attendants, the starting formats and the refreshment stations it was all very well thought out. Your after event entertainment was great also. My only suggestion is to have some energy snacks available at some of the earlier refreshment stations, no big deal. Thanks again for a great day, I will definitely be participating next year and if the Degani is anything to go by I will be entering the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride also."
  Ben
• "I completed in the Degani King Lake ride on the weekend & just wanted to say what a fantastically organised & scenic event it was. I’ve done a few 100+ rides over the years and this was by far the best one. The information sent via email was informative, frequent, directive & made you feel included in the event & the service during & after was just sensational – your volunteers were also lovely, its those people who make the event.
  Congratulations again on making the day so enjoyable for us. See you in 09."
  Kristin
• "As a novice enthusiast, it's great to be able to ride new places and tackle new riding challenges with the comfort of an organised event for support."
  Andrew
• "I would like to thank all the volunteers who made this day possible, especially all the CFA volunteers for their time in making sure we were well hydrated :)"
  Renee

• "Well done. The most professionally conducted events I have taken part in. The jersey was great and I believe that is why so many chose to wear it."
  Sam
  

Congratulations to CSC on winning the VIP Marquee competition!

CSC enjoyed the exclusive VIP Marquee at the finish area as part of the post ride festival! The marquee included catering, refreshments and a personal team masseur all of which was greatly appreciated by the riders as they basked in the sun and replenished after the ride as they enjoyed the band and post-event festivities.

FUSE Photography took photos of participants on the Degani Kinglake Ride course and these can be viewed and purchased from www.fusephotography.com

Event Ambassador, Will Walker, has just been added to the Australian Men's Road Team for the World Championships this weekend, to replace Stuart O'Grady!

Thank you to the few participants who weren't too shy to send in their Will Walker Challenge times. However it looks like the new Australian team member's blistering 15min 16sec assault on the 7.2km climb into Kinglake still stands. Well done to everyone who gave it a crack - keep up the good work!

• Stuart Sinclair - 21.03
• Stephen Crow - 21.42
• Mal Cooper - 23.36
• Andrew W - 28.10

+ Click Here for More Information on Will Walker's Australian Team Selection

Message from Monica (wife of Michael):

It was fantastic to see so many people out enjoying such a wonderfully organised event. Well done to everyone who completed both ride distances.  It was lovely wandering around and getting to chat to so many of you at the post-event festival.

A huge thank you to everyone who bought a ticket in the raffle for the GIANT OCR-A Sport. A few tickets were left, so the draw has been delayed to this Thursday (25th September).  We will be drawing the winner at our regular fundraising meeting; details will be published on both Mike’s website and at SuperSprint.

Good luck to you all, and thank you for your support.  This has given us an amazing start on the road to get Mike to Project Walk.  He would like to let everyone know how humbled he is by the willingness of everyone who volunteered, donated and purchased tickets to help him “get back on my feet”.

+ Click Here for the Michael Forbes Foundation Website

Well done to Max Waller who was the winner of the Nalini ride kit for wearing his official Degani Kinglake Ride event jersey in the event. Max will take home a Degani jersey and knicks valued at $259!

Congratulations to Darryn Howard who is the winner of the 1 hour massage at Onsen Retreat & Spa in Dinner Plain.

Don’t forget you too can experience the Onsen Retreat & Spa in Dinner Plain by booking in for your Free Hydro Pass before July 2009. The voucher was in your event show bag!

To take a sneak peak at the luxury that awaits you visit www.onsen.com.au or call (03) 5150 8880 to register your voucher.

Plus if you’re interested in participating in the 2009 DP Festival of Cycling over the March long weekend and would like more information on this boutique 3 day event visit http://hotham.com.au/cycling. Entry forms for the event will be available online in approximately 8 weeks or register online to be sent an entry form as soon as they are available.

Enjoy your summer of cycling and we look forward to seeing you at other SuperSprint events or up at Hotham and Dinner Plain in the coming months!

Thank you to all participants that completed the post event survey. The lucky winner of the Wheel Bag is Craig Maddison!

Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride 2009

The cycling sensation that is the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride will be back with conviction in 2009! The date for this event is currently being finalised and is likely to be later in March.

Next year's ride will once again offer a staggeringly beautiful course, comprehensive ride support, comprehensive participant communication and yet another high quality event jersey by 2XU.

Online Entries Opening Soon! Stay tuned to our website and e-newsletters!

+ Click Here to sign up to the Event Newsletter

SUB Women's Cycle Challenge 2008

Following the success of the inaugural SUB Women's Cycle Challenge last year, the popular women's only ride is back again! The event is aimed at novice, regular and recreational female cyclists with 2 events on offer - 55km & 20km.

When: Saturday 6 December
Entries are Open Online!

+ Click Here to Enter

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