THE 2014 Tour of Gippsland bike race has kicked off in Warragul.
Above: competitors take the first turn of the tour. Photos by article author.
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UPDATE: Jones second, Avanti dominates in Tour of Gippsland’s first stage
The 91.5 km first stage of the tour started on Smith Street at 10.30 this morning and is expected to conclude at some time after 12.30 this afternoon.
Warragul has not been on the tour schedule since 2011.
The route takes competitors around a large chunk of Baw Baw and into the Latrobe City region, finishing back in Warragul at Western Park.
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Warragul businesses with support from the Baw Baw Shire Council lobbied and provided financial backing for the tour to start in Warragul, arguing the extra traffic for local businesses and promotion of the region through tour coverage on national broadcaster SBS would be of benefit for locals. Click here for more on that funding.
UPDATE: Jones second, Avanti dominates in Tour of Gippsland’s first stage
Was not able to see the event live … so a little late great to see a few photos of such an event in our local down.