Right: Their off! The amateur field put their heads down in the By Tania Martin
CYCLISTS from around the globe were drawn to Monbulk on Friday for stage six of the 2005 Jayco Herald Sun Tour.
The tour is an annual seven-day professional cycling state race that draws the world’s top cyclists.
This year’s event featured seven stages including an individual time trial that covered more than 700 kilometres as the tour travelled through Victoria before a circuit finish in the heart of Melbourne.
Despite Monbulk traders voicing their displeasure to the tour organisers for a lack of information regarding the tour, the day created a buzz around the town.
The tour organisers failed to give the traders adequate warning that the street would be closed for the day between 9.30am and 2.45pm, causing some retailers to close shop for the day.
However, organisers claimed that there had been plenty of community consultation.
The dash for cash race drew both amateur and professional riders to compete in a race from Monbulk to Sky High in Mt Dandenong.
The first male and female who crossed the finish line each took home a prize purse of $1,000.
Olympic cyclist Kathy Watt was the first woman across the line, while Scott Peoples from Shepparton was the first male.
A Sky High spokeswoman said the day was fantastic with cyclists enjoying the venue and many visitors flocking |to Sky High to watch the cyclists |cross the finish line.
Shire of Yarra Ranges Chandler Ward councillor Alan Fincher said it was great to have something as prestigious as the tour come through town.
Cr Fincher said he understood some of the traders’ frustration as the information was not very forthcoming from the tour organisers.
He said the day was not only a good health and fitness activity, but also created a buzz and bit of excitement around the town.
“It was great to see so many local kids up the street,” he said.
