Harcourt’s hills to test cyclists in tour

THE hills around Harcourt and at nearby Mount Alexander will test cyclists across this weekend’s Merv Dean Memorial Tour run by Bendigo and District Cycling Club.

A prizemoney pool of $7,500 will be distributed across three grades racing in the Profound Civil Contractors-backed tour on the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.

Other key sponsors of the tour are Innes Motors Subaru and AFS Accountants.

A year ago it was Levi Hone who added his name to the honour board in a tour that honours Merv Dean, who was a top cyclist in his own right and racked up many years as Bendigo DCC secretary.

The club tour was first held in 1960 and Dean was champion in 1963.

Across a 50-year involvement in the sport, there were many tasks Dean did with no fuss.

He was a key figure in the formation of the J Cycle Program, which is a training program for juniors.

Merv’s wife Ruth and the Dean family are strong supporters of the tour that honours his legacy and commitment to cycling, especially the club tour.

As riders chase for sprint and hill climb bonuses the under-19s will also be vying for the Allan Peiper Future Star Award for a male and female cyclist.

A leading contender for the award will be Declan Pritchard from Team Brennan, who is leading the under-19 class in the National Road Series.

Tour action starts at 1pm on Saturday when a 101km stage starts and finishes near Sutton Grange Hall.

The hill climb sprint will be on the side of Mt Alexander/Joseph Young Drive.

A big test will be Sunday’s stage of 109km starting from 9.30am at North Harcourt Tennis Club.

The finish will be on top of the south side of Mount Alexander at the telecommunications tower.

The tour finale on Monday will be a 58km kermesse in which A-grade will race five laps of a circuit that starts and finishes at North Harcourt Tennis Club.

The action begins with C-grade and women’s at 9.30am.

That will be followed by B-grade at 11am and A-grade from 12.30pm on the narrow and winding roads.