InForm TM Insight MAKE due north for Tour de Brisbane
This Sunday, Brisbane will become the centre of Aussie cycling as the inaugural Tour de Brisbane, part of the National Road Series Classics, takes over the city.
For the first time in the city’s history, the 110-kilometre road course will be fully closed, with the riders enjoying 1,422 metres of climbing as they take in some of the city’s well-known landmarks.
DS Pat Lane says: “Tour de Brisbane is a race I’ve been really looking forward to for a while. The organisers have come up with a very exciting course. It’s a profile that could unfold in many different scenarios with the difficult climb up Mount Coot-Tha so early in the race. The roster we have selected should give us competitive options despite how it unfolds.”
Starting in the city’s cycling hub of South Bank, riders make their way across the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, offering a panoramic view of the city’s skyscrapers and river. The course then carries on down to the Story Bridge, leading into the city itself.
Riders will then make their way through the inner-CBD and onto the Riverside Express Way and Western Freeway, both closed for the first time for a bike ride. A challenging Mount Coot-tha climb then awaits, before continuing through the city and down through the undulating hills south of Brisbane.
InForm TM Insight MAKE newcomer and no stranger to NRS success, Jarrad Drizners, is confident that the boys are primed for a great road race.
“I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into my first NRS race of the season this weekend with the team! My last race with the team was at the Road Nationals where we had some good success, so I’m keen to keep the ball rolling.”
Lane adds, “It’s the first time we have the Podium Potential Academy guys joining us for the NRS, they have just finished the Australian Track Championships and are on great form.”
Luke Plapp, Jarrad Drizners, Conor Leahy and Godfrey Slattery are the four InForm TM Insight MAKE riders who’ve joined the Podium Potential squad managed by the Australian Cycling Team. Track commitments will remain the priority for the talented youngsters but linking up with a National Road Series squad will allow the riders to gain greater exposure to all types of racing and will aid their progression towards lofty track goals.
Coupled with a diversely strong team and Rudy Porter’s return, Lane is confident with the InForm TM Insight MAKE line-up.
“Rudy Porter has also been improving quickly after his break and I think we will see a big ride from him.”
The InForm TM Insight MAKE line-up for the Tour de Brisbane includes:
Raphael Freienstein
Nathan Elliott
Jarrad Drizners
Rudy Porter
Lucas Plapp
Godfrey Slattery
Tom Benton
Links:
How to watch:
The Tour de Brisbane will be streamed via the National Road Series Facebook page facebook.com/NationalRoadSeries, and Kayo Sports.
Opening Show – Facebook only: Sunday from 6.05am (approx.). Pre-start interviews, the roll out and the opening 10km through Brisbane city of both Men’s and Women’s races.
Replay & Highlights Show – Facebook & Kayo: Sunday from 11.30am. Two hours of “as live” coverage including the start of both Men’s and Women’s races, the KOM’s, Sprints and all the action coming into the finish (plus post-race interviews and podium celebrations).