FECRI ride ready to hit the road

REGISTRATION is now open for next year’s Ballarat Cycle Classic 2023.

The launch event was held last week at Cyclescape with the annual bike riding fundraiser set to take place on Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 February.

Participants will have their pick between road and gravel circuits with all proceeds going towards the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Committee member Luke Taylor has been participating in the Cycle Classic for about 10 years and said next year’s rides will be more accessible.

“We moved to a two-day event last year with our gravel rides which was really warmly received, and the new additions we’ve got really opens it up for more people,” he said.

“They can come into town for the weekend, hit the gravel on the Saturday and do the road events on the Sunday

“Personally, I’ve just noticed this grow and grow over the years. It’s always a good ride and it’s going towards a good outcome. Cancer touches us all.”

The Gravel Grind will return on the Saturday with the option between 27, 47, and 63-kilometre distances.

A new Gravity Enduro Jam consisting of six circuits over five hours will take place on the same day at the Black Hill Mountain Bike Park.

Sunday’s events will consist of seven rides throughout Lake Wendouree and a six-killometre walk.

With a goal of $240,000, FECRI’s head Professor George Kannourakis said the event is the institute’s biggest fundraiser.

“It essentially employs three of our post-doctoral scientists to live locally and work with us for a year so it’s a major thing for us,” he said.

“It means we can continue our cutting-edge research which is to do with immunology’s role with cancer.”

Visit the Ballarat Cycle Classic website to register for a ride.