More than 300 cyclists descend on Molong for NSW Masters Road Race Cha

Published on 25 September 2018

More major cycling events may be on the radar for Cabonne Shire after Molong came alive on Saturday for the NSW Masters Road Race Championships.
More than 300 cyclists descended on the town for the first of three-days of exciting racing at Molong and Orange.
The road races were held on a testing 28-kilometre course at Molong which showcased the beautify Cabonne countryside, while the criterium and time trial championships were staged in Orange on Sunday and Monday.
The road race championships attracted the best riders over 30 years of age in NSW and the ACT, as well as a number from Queensland and Victoria, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallists and a former world champion.
This was the third and possibly the final year of the NSW Masters Championships in Molong and Orange, with the event traditionally moving to a new venue every three years.
However, Cabonne Council’s Community Engagement and Development Manager Dale Jones has already held talks with Cycling NSW Chief Executive Officer Graham Seers and Race Director Fiona Fahey about the possibility of conducting future races or social rides in the Cabonne area.
“We would love to continue our strong relationship with Cycling NSW and bring more events to the region in coming years,” Mr Jones said.
“Cycling tourism is a sector we have identified as a big opportunity for expansion and we would like to work with Cycling NSW, Orange Council, Orange Cycle Club and the Orange 360 tourism organisation to develop the region as a cycling destination.”
Mr Jones said major events, such as the NSW Masters Championships, provide a major injection into the local economy.
“Working with Cycling NSW over the past three years has been a great experience and I wish to thank all their staff for their cooperation and hard work in staging the masters championships,” he said.
“More importantly I want to acknowledge the efforts of the many volunteers, particularly those from the Orange Cycle Club, without whom the event would not have been such a great success.”