WOMEN GET EQUAL BILLING AT Eildon

At this years Race, we're happy to have on board Bruce Rademaker and his team at Cyclelink Bayswater sponsoring the Womens racing.

In addition, we're now pleased to announce, local volunteer organisation Upper Goulburn Food, Wine & Culture Group have kindly donated two extraordinary hampers to the race.

With these extra resources available to the race, we're able to offer the two women's grades (A & B, including the top-age U17 girls in those grades) the same prize-money distribution.

One of these hampers will go to the winner of the Women's A Grade race, in addition to the prize-money on offer. Prize-money, incidently, matching that of the A Grade winner.

The other hamper will be raffled off during the course of the day, for one lucky winner to take home at the Podium Presentations.


Further, a one night's accommodation in the lovely Lakeview Motel, Eildon will be awarded to the most courageous and aggressive rider in the Women's B race. Any bike rider will enjoy another weekend of their choosing taking the many beautiful roads, climbs and scenery of the area in the future.


The recently announced Women's Racing Structure Guidelines outline measures that race organisers can take to attract more women to their events.

As a Combine Race we're proud to say that we've ticked many of the boxes. In fact, the Damian McDonald Memorial Road Race exceeds the guidelines (see P.6) in many areas, including:

• offering multiple Women's only grades for competitors to race in;
• providing equal prize-money to that of the men;
• laying out how place-getters are eligible for prizes (see P.16), and:
• providing the maximum allowable $2000 prize-money for a Combine event;

We hope that with these measures, more women will avail themselves of the opportunity to race in such a well-run event, and provide a great race-day experience of their own, and that of their fellow competitors.

Entries are still open, and we will be taking entries on the day.

The registration desk at the Golden Trout Hotel will close at 9.45am Sunday morning.

Amy Bradley (SKCC), winner in 2012

Shhhhhhh...Unofficial entries posted...

The only reasons these entries are unofficial, is that we've yet to finalise Grades, and the entry system is still OPEN!

A few observations of the list, as of Wednesday night:

• there are three former winners of the Perpetual;
• great support from the Mens A & B riders;
• VRS teams are sending their riders;
• strong support from the riders of host Clubs BBN & Wangaratta CC;
• the Women in A & B Grades are all going to be winners!
• No D Grade Men...WTF?!!!!
• great spread of Junior riders, who'll all get an awesome race!

Click on the Sub headings to list them in any way you like...have fun!!

https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/ParticipantList.aspx?E=10309

What makes Damian's Race so special?

Damians' Race is a trophy race for bottom-age JM17 (under 17 men) riders.

Open to fifteen year old Cycling Australia GOLD licence holders (all those born in 1998), we hope it evolves into a race where the stars of tomorrow get an early chance to shine, while their top-age contemporaries battle it out with the men in the graded races.




An initiative of Wangaratta Cycling Club, local rider Tomarsh Loki (pictured left, in 2012 with Damians' mum Amelia Edwards) won the first event in 2010. The race was being run as a Handicap for riders J17 and under, at the WCC's home turf of Wangaratta.

The following year Stephen Damm (Lavington Panthers Cycling Club) took the honours at the Wangaratta Saleyards, in front of Nicole Clark and Tomarsh (on the podium again!).

In 2012, with the move to Eildon, and the "reclassification" of the race to a scratch race for bottom-age JM17 riders, Blackburn Cycling Club rider Kurt Santagada capped off a stellar season with a win, from Club-mate James Moffat and former winner Tomarsh.

When asked about the origins of the race and it's name, Damians'  brother (and current Wangaratta Cycling Club President) Dean McDonald replied "Mum was the one who suggested the race, as Damian was always really good with younger riders, not only in the AIS team but also at club level. He was called Papa Mac by the guys in the team."

The future of this great sport lies in the younger generations. Wangaratta Cycling Club trust Damians' Race encourages juniors to race for a perpetual trophy, to bring a rich cycling history to life, and to celebrate the achievement and contribution of one of their greats.

Nephew of Damian, Thomas McDonald (WCC) riding as an Under 15 rider in 2012. He races Damians' Race in 2013 for the chance to get his name on the Perpetual Trophy. Good Luck!

Photo Credit: Aeon Photography

ENTRIES WILL BE EXTENDED!

We're extending the online entry system until Thursday 5pm - so let you're riding buddies know, and #getonit

With an excellent forecast for Eildon (click the 15 day forecast on the blog), and a gathering tide of publicity for the race, more people will take advantage of the racing which is on offer in Eildon on Sunday.

The Men's A and B Grade fields are, simply, exceptional. So NRS/VRS riders who're not on rosters in far-flung places will get an awesome race, just 1.5 hours from Melbourne..

Men's C Grade entries are growing strongly and promises a fantastic race.

I'm not sure where the Men's D Grade riders are, but there's some good money going to be handed out to the one rider who's entered!! Where are the rest of you D Grade Men?!




And despite addressing issues of equality in Women's cycling for this race, we've currently a very poor turnout. $750 will be shared by three riders at this stage! Well worth the trip up the Highway on a Sunday!

Note:
the offer of free accommodation for two Women's Teams who enter the race still stands...see the earlier post below for conditions. 

It will expire on Tuesday night, 8.30pm.

We look forward to a strong turnout in Eildon, and encourage you to be a part of it.

Great value racing, in beautiful surrounds, on an amazing course.

Great Prizes up for Grabs in Eildon.

Once again this years Memorial will be presenting a prize pool of $2000 for all riders to share.

 Men

The the four men's races will split a prize pool of $1000, for places 1st through 3rd in each grade.

The Damian McDonald Memorial Perpetual Shield will be awarded for the fifth time to the Men's A Grade winner.

 

Women

In line with Cycling Victoria policy, we're providing equal prize-money for women. ie Women's A & B Grade podiums receive the same as the Men's A & B podiums.

The Women's A winner will be receiving a special prize - one which she'll treasure for some time. This award will provide fond memories of a hard fought victory in this beautiful locale.

Further, an encouragement award will be offered for The Most Courageous B Grade woman who shows grit, determination and panache above expectations and above her rivals.

Second and third podium spots will also receive a prize, taking the toal prize pool for Women to $750.

Juniors

$300 in cash and prizes await the Junior riders in Eildon. 

All junior race podium place-getters will receive a medal.

And the Perpetual Trophy for the winner of Damian's Race will be presented by Damian's mum, Amelia.

Podium Etiquette

All place-getters and award winners are expected to be at the presentations, as they should in all events.

Podium presentations are a place to recognize the efforts and hear a little bit about the experiences of all the top riders. 

And, as Monique Hanley so helpfully and eloquently explains, reward all the coaches, supporters, team-mates, sponsors and clubs that made a great podium presentation worth all the effort to put together and make it to!

Any riders not attending the presentations will forfeit their prize.

Teams Accommodation at The Golden Trout Hotel

Despite a common-held thought amongst Club riders that the Road Season has drawn to a close, there's still plenty going on.

• The Tour of Bright demands riders keep working on their climbing form, and accumulating VRS points qualifications
• The last of the VRS races are quickly approaching: Midlands Tour, Tour of the Goldfields (Women), Stratford to Dargo and of course, the ToB.
• The National Road Series plows onwards and upwards with the National Capital Tour (Sept) , Tour of Tassie (Oct) and of course the One Day Classics (Warrnie, Shipwreck Coast, Grafton)

To make it easier for riders to get as much tough racing in as possible we're offering three men's teams and two women's teams free accommodation in Eildon.

To qualify:

• riders must nominate their "team/sponsor" whilst entering the race
• these teams/sponsors and riders must be registered as Cycling Victoria sponsored riders
• NRS Registered riders also qualify
• once three riders from a team have entered, they will be contacted by race management to organise their accommodation. One person must act as their "team-manager" for this purpose.
• this is a first-in-best-dressed offer! Only three men's teams and two women's teams will benefit!

On offer:

• one room, housing up to four people, with views of the Eildon Pondage
• secure storage for bikes, equipment and personal belongings
• late check-in on Saturday night (we know the transfer from Anglesea to Eildon will be gruelling!)
• late check out on Sunday afternoon

So if you've got team-mates, club-mates or ride in a sponsored kit with friends, get your entry in and benefit from this great offer from The Golden Trout Hotel and Motel.

And the Red Flag has Dropped!

2013 edition of #DMcDMem13 is up and running...

You heard right - entries are now open for the best little Spring race going 'round. Click on the ENTER NOW page to enter, nominate a volunteer (you'll get a discount) and pay your entry - EASY!

We have a few new improvements for this year:

• The Golden Trout Hotel have increased their contribution to the race.
  David and his team are providing more prizemoney, more facilities, more discounts and an improved venue for #RaceHQ than last year - registration & administration HQ, early-opener Cafe, lunch specials for cyclists & supporters, post-race chill-out couches and toilets, the Bar and a dedicated presentation stage.
  
  
  
  
  
• Electronic Race Timing.
  Blackburn Cycling Club have recently invested in timing for the gamut of races they promote - road races, criteriums, kermesses and track cycling. Following extensive testing on the Warburton, Casey Fields and Kew road courses, this year's Memorial marks the first time the system will be used "live".
  We know you'll enjoy the results.
• 2012 sponsors Cyclelink Bayswater and Aughterson's Insurance Brokers have both come back to support this growing race, once again.
  Local businesses in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, BBN CC are proud to have such support.
• Wangaratta Cycling Club and their sponsor Club Gear Pty Ltd are once again providing resources for "Damian's Race" - a junior trophy race for bottom-age JM17 riders. 
• David Gallagher from TR Corporation P/L is providing race-radios.
  Lead/Follow, Commissaire cars and also the many Traffic Controllers and Marshals you'll see on the course need an efficient way to communicate. And in hilly, mountainous country, over an area of around 3000 square kilometers, David has the answers for us. Furthers, with this coordinated effort a dedicated course Ambulance can attend to any first aid requirements in quick-smart time.
  Notify any official if this occurs.
• a dedicated St Johns Ambulance and two Qualified First Aiders on course

We know you'll love this edition - so get a few friends together, enter online, get them in the car, and head on up (or down) the Goulburn Valley Highway to the 'Trout to register for a great day on the bike.

Check out the blog - everything you'll want to know is here...

...and we'll see you there!