Cycling South Australia

Perfect Surface For Sunday

Ken Little Divisional Manager of Fulton Hogan, Senior Handicapper Bill Drodge, Chief Commissiare Pat McGukin and Central District Race Organiser Marie Hedley today went through final inspections of the Northern Expressway before official handicaps are finalised for Sunday's $5,000 event on the newest stretch of highway in South Australia. Bill Drodge says, "yes it's flat but the circuit still has its little challenges which will make it for good racing, I'm very impressed". At this point more than 130 riders have nominated with noms closing tomorrow evening.

CSA and sponsors Fulton Hogan and York Civil have lifted prize money for women due to the high volume of females nominating.  If a woman was to cross the line first she could win $1,500.00, $500.00 for the first female and $1,000.00 for taking line honors. Two additional female prizes have been added.

Background: Cycling SA and the Central District Cycling Club in conjunction with the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure and 2010 sponsors Fulton Hogan and York Civil, will stage the Northern Expressway Cycle Challenge 2010, a handicap race on the new Northern Expressway on 12 September 2010. It's a 9am Start for Limit riders.

The event will be open for senior riders of all grades and Under-19's. Sponsored by Fulton Hogan and YORK Civil, this will be a cracker of a race and we want as many riders as possible to take part.

The 47 kilometre journey will start on the South bound carriageway (near the Heaslip interchange) heading north to Gawler, returning to Port Wakefield Road and to the Start-Finish area near the Heaslip interchange. This event will have a complete road closure and riders will enjoy racing on this new $564 million dollar freeway.

Cycling SA Management and senior officials have inspected the course several times and we believe this will be an event to remember, an event we hope will be held annually. The Central District Cycling Club will assist CSA in staging this new event. The surface is made of stone mastic asphalt (SMA) one of the smoothest finishes in the world. Most roads have a bump count of 50 to 60. The SMA mix has a bump count of around 13.5 and yes that's smooth as silk for a bike race.

The handicap Northern Expressway (Cup) Cycle Challenge will carry around $5,000 in prize money. First place will pick up $1,000 cash and we'll be paying down to tenth position. In addition Fastest Time, First Female and two Masters categories.

1-$1,000.00
2-$500.00
3-$300.00
4-$200.00
5-$150.00
6-$100.00
7-$80.00
8-$60.00
9-$40.00
10-$30.00 
        
Fastest Time: $600.00  

1st Female: $500.00, 2nd Female $300.00 & 3rd Female $100.00 
First Master (over 35) $500.00 (35 and over as per date of birth on licence)  
First Master (over 50) $500.00 (50 and over as per date of birth on licence)

For more information about the other activities at the Northern Expressway Community Celebration on 12 September please visit: www.northernexpressway.sa.gov.au