Dylan Newbery, Andrew MacFarlane and Ben Cook, from the Campos team, were looking relaxed considering they had just ridden more than 100km up the Bunya Mountains

June 23, 2015

The South Burnett proved a steep challenge – literally – for the teams of cyclists taking part in the weekend’s Giro d’South Burnett.

The Giro was Round 3 of the Brisbane Camperland Qld Road Team Series, and featured some of the leading riders from Queensland.

Stage 1, on Saturday, headed out to Boat Mountain near Murgon, climbing the South Burnett’s own “heartbreak hill”.

And if that wasn’t tough enough, the teams on Sunday faced the daunting task in Stage 2 of racing more than 100km to the Bunya Mountains, via Kingaroy, Tarong and Kumbia. The road from the Kumbia turn-off to the Bunyas is not only narrow, it is steep …

All the cyclists seemed thrilled by the challenges, and despite there being a few spills along the way, were still smiling at the end of both stages.

Cycling Queensland president Mike Victor said he was very grateful for the support of the South Burnett Regional Council, police, all the volunteers, motorbike riders, sponsors and the local business community who had made the weekend possible.

However, he told southburnett.com.au he was disappointed with the lack of entries in the Community Rides.

There were two Community Rides scheduled in Murgon on Saturday plus one in Kingaroy on Sunday.

The Murgon Community Rides – over 8km and 25km – only attracted 14 riders, five in the longer distance and nine in the shorter route. Numbers were also low in the Kingaroy ride which covered 5km around Kingaroy streets.

Mike said he believed some of the cyclists who would usually have taken part had gone to Brisbane for the Brissie To The Bay Ride.

However, not everyone dropped out. Claire Kapernick, who came home first in the 25km Murgon ride, backed up on Sunday in Brisbane for the charity ride.

There was also only a handful of entries in the 107km and 70km “Great Bunya Challenge” held on Sunday.

Results in these challenges were:

  • 107km – 1. Dave Edwards, 2. Peter Scanlan and 3. Andrew Overton; and
  • 70km – 1. Hamilton Andrews,  2. Jason Jones and 3. Taj Jones.

South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann, who presented the prizes after Sunday’s event, thanked Cycling Queensland for making the South Burnett a part of their competition and said he hoped they would return again.

This is the fifth year that Cycling Queensland has brought the Queensland Road Team Series to the South Burnett.

The South Burnett’s own “heartbreak hill” … the peloton in Stage 1 of the Giro d’South Burnett makes its way up through the high country near Boat Mountain on Saturday
What’s that Skippy? A cycle race? They’d better hop to it then if they want to get up the Bunya Mountains
(Photo: Niels Juel, Veloshotz.com)
Four riders broke away early during the Giro d’South Burnett on Saturday and maintained their lead throughout the stage
The Giro d’South Burnett riders were accompanied by a parade of vehicles front and rear, including police cars, motor bikes and a string of support vehicles

Cycling Queensland president Mike Victor with South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann at the Bunya Mountains on Sunday

Two local young guns who did well in the “Great Bunya Challenge” were Hamilton Andrews, 15, (1st) and Taj Jones, 14, (3rd) from Nanango

CQ vice-president John Osborne with Cr Kathy Duff, decked out for the 8km community ride in Murgon

Third across the line in Stage 1 of the Giro d’Burnett on Saturday was Sam Volkers, left, with winner Nick Miller
They’re off … 78 bikes left the starting line for Stage 1 of the Giro d’Burnett in Murgon on Saturday, but the gruelling conditions meant only 29 finished
Nick Miller had been part of the break-away quartet for most of the Murgon race, but then opened his lead by sprinting away on the last lap to win
First home in the Bunya Mountains race was Jack Anderson, one better than his 2nd at the end of Stage 1 in Murgon
Father and son duo Jason, right, and Taj Jones climbing through the Bunya Mountains as part of the “Great Bunya Challenge”
Cr Kathy Duff, left, and Jo Berry, right, from Kingsley Grove Winery, congratulate the winners of Stage 1 of the Giro d’South Burnett … Sam Volkers (3rd), Nick Miller (1st) and Jack Anderson (2nd)
Now which jersey will I wear? Sam Volkers was presented with jerseys for King of The Mountain, Sprint and  Overall competition leader at the end of both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Giro d’South Burnett
South Burnett mayor Wayne Kratzmann congratulates Stage 2 winner of the Giro d’South Burnett Jack Anderson, centre; pictured with Reuben Donati (3rd) and Mitch Neuman (2nd); Anderson was also the overall winner for the weekend

 

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