MARK IT IN YOUR DIARIES, FOLKS....

2013 Damian McDonald Memorial (incorporating Damian's Race for Juniors) - date confirmed!

In another huge year in cycling, the Memorial once again sits beautifully within the Victorian cycling calendar. 

Sunday 22nd September, 10am start-time  -  Eildon Township.

Those riders and teams gearing up for the Victorian Road Series and National Road Series tours and climbing races later in the season, incorporating this race into your program will set you up well for the challenges to come.

And in Eildon - it'll be JUST. PLAIN. FUN!

One of the best Club races going around, you'll feel like a pro, with:

• excellent management;
• outstanding racing infrastructure and facilities;
• an awesome race parcours which suits riders of ALL abilities & strengths
• Blackburn CC's obligatory traffic management expertise to give YOU (the rider) prioirty as you race.

So, follow the Four-Part-Plan to your great Spring campaign:

1. Subscribe/ Register your email on this site to receive all updated info regarding this race.
2. Tell your Team managers, Coach, Club, parents and friends that you're gunning for success at the best Club Race in September.
3. Book some choice accommodation, so you don't miss out (there's some real pearlers here in Eildon)
4. Check out the Race-Day montage, from Charmion Phillips at aeonphoto.com.au in the photo link for inspiration!
5. ...AND KEEP TRAINING!!

We look forward to you riding with us at
Blackburn Cycling Club, as we deliver for you in 2013
an even bigger and better race than last year.

Jason Spencer, 2012 Winner leads
the bunch over the rollers

Bunch rolls out at the Spectacular Start/Finish line

Womens A Grade celebration.
Amy Bradley (SKCC) FTW

Some of the incredible scenery of the Eildon Region.

Kurt Santagada wins
Damian's Race
for JM17 (bottom-age)

All photos here and in the race day pictorial are used with permission from Charmion Phillips

aeonphoto.com.au
Click onto her web-page to order hi-res images.

Non-official Publications!

Thanks to the following bloggers who have made their posts available to us. Hope you enjoy them - official photo's coming out, soon.

Cameron Parlevliet (BikesDeVer/ BBN) had an eventful Memorial. An altercation with a car (no injuries sustained, thankfully) and a near-miss with a local 'Roo on the Skyline descent. All captured on footage. Mens A/B bunch, Eildon...

Cameron Finishing.
Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

True grit, from Grace. 

Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Grace Phang (SKCC/Giant), our Women's A Grade 3rd placegetter, has written a terrific summary of her weekends racing (including the #DMcDMem). Check out what it takes to race, and the rewards in store, for those who dare.
Well done, Grace....

Grace Phang - Cycling Dreams

Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Andy Christie (bikebug.com/ BBN) spent the entire morning in Eildon in the A Grade 'break. Just like the day before! Here's Andy's write-up of his experiences getting his team extra exposure and a chance at break-away success, including a little (220km) Time Trial training on his blog....

Andy Christie - Seeing How Things Transpire

Tony (l) with race director Richard Stringer after the race.
Photo by Charmion Phillips
(AeonPhoto.com.au)

Tony Reeckman (Wangaratta CC) joined many riders and support staff at the Golden Trout on the Saturday night. This enabled the keen photographer to indulge both his passions, starting early on Sunday morning. Read about his experience in the C Grade Men's race on his website.
Tony Reeckman Photography - Tony's Blog

SUN IS SHINING, WEATHER IS SWEET

Well, like last year, our order for perfect weather has been fulfilled. The forecast is below.
You've gotta love a Spring Race in Eildon!

2011 Damian McDonald Memorial, Mens Podium 
Chris Winn (CCCC) 1st (right)
Jason Spencer (BBN) 2nd (left), Ashley Baines (WNG) 3rd (ctr)

We've just posted a page detailing the Race-day Program, so print it out, it'll be helpful.

Remember to support those who support us, as the community and Council of Murrindindi and the Upper Goulburn Valley will appreciate our custom:

• Cafe's in Thornton are going to be open from 7am, for those riders driving through. Hot breakfasts and good coffee has been assured.
• The Golden Trout Hotel Motel is RaceHQ for this years' Memorial. Registration, Entertainment, Cafe, Lunch Menu & Presentations are all being hosted by David Duncan and his team.
  They've promised a great value Cyclists' Lunch Menu for you to enjoy while sharing stories about your race, prior to the Presentations at 1.30pm.
• Our naming rights sponsor Cyclelink Bayswater have provided plenty of prizemoney for riders, and we hope you'll take advantage of their excellent in-store customer service, and new online web store.

Eildon Forecast for Sunday, September 23
12am		Mostly clear	9°C	5%	26%		NNE 16km/h	6°C	80%
3am		Mostly clear	9°C	5%	28%		NNE 18km/h	5°C	78%
6am		Mostly clear	9°C	10%	32%		N 18km/h	6°C	77%
9am		Mostly clear	11°C	24%	48%		NNW 15km/h	7°C	74%
12pm		Mostly clear	13°C	18%	40%		WNW 18km/h	7°C	70%
3pm		Mostly cloudy	12°C	16%	52%		W 19km/h	5°C	60%
6pm		Mostly cloudy	10°C	5%	53%		W 20km/h	4°C	67%

Start-Line Marquee's & Priority Parking

We've had a great response from riders and their teams / sponsors to create a village atmosphere;

These Teams will have special privileges on race-day, with extra access for vehicles:

Cyclelink Bayswater (our Primary Sponsor)

6amers Racing Team

Croydon Cycleworks

Blackburn Cycling Club

Wangaratta Cycling Club

START LIST IS PUBLISHED

All the entries are in, counted, allocated and graded.  The start list has been published.  To view the full list click here, or just click on the Start List tab!

All the plans are coming together, we just need to put our order in for good weather, to round off what is shaping to be a great day of racing!

ENTRIES CLOSED!

With all entries in, and riders being finalised into their grades, we'll soon be publishing the Entry lists and Bunches.

Check out all the info on the site, so you know all the where's, what's, why's and where-fore's before you head up.

Check the cyclingprofiles map and profile of the course, and review you're race distances (all found on the RACE INFO menu).

Our volunteers should be receiving instructions in the next 24 hours regarding their roles, so keep an eye out.

And riders, don't forget to thank the Vollies - they make it possible for you to race, and race safely with Blackburn & Wangaratta Cycling Clubs!

Here's a photo of the bling which is up for grabs...

Perpetual Shield, Damian McDonald Memorial Trophy and Damian's Race Trophy.
Medals for placegetters.

Damian's Race, Perpetual Trophy for Juniors.

Entries Extended 'til midnight Tuesday

After a hectic weekend of racing, we know a few of you missed the cut-off.

Fields in the MensA and MensB grades are strong, so there'll be a good hitout - suiting your preparation for Bright, the Warrnie and Stratford-to-Dargo.

The juniors are responding well and will enjoy their competition.

Other Grades (Womens, Mens C & D) still have plenty of room.

So, ENTER NOW!

The seven day forecasts are out, and Eildon looks like it gonna turn it on for your racing pleasure - a Spring hitout with a bit of everything - sunshine, a possible shower, fresh mountain air, and snow in the surrounding mountains!

Graphic produced from weatherzone.com.au....

Eildon 7-day Weather Forecast

Summary	Mon Sep 17		Tue Sep 18		Wed Sep 19		Thu Sep 20		Fri Sep 21		Sat Sep 22		Sun Sep 23
	Possible shower		Possible shower		Possible shower		Possible shower		Rain		Possible shower		Possible shower
Maximum	13°C		12°C		15°C		17°C		13°C		15°C		15°C
Minimum	5°C		5°C		5°C		7°C		9°C		6°C		7°C
Chance of Rain	70%		80%		70%		90%		90%		70%		90%
Rain Amount	1-5mm		5-10mm		1-5mm		5-10mm		1-5mm		< 1mm		1-5mm
UV Index	Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate		Moderate
Frost Risk	Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil		Nil
	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm	9am	3pm
Wind Speed	5 km/h	7 km/h	8 km/h	10 km/h	8 km/h	9 km/h	10 km/h	12 km/h	9 km/h	16 km/h	6 km/h	8 km/h	14 km/h	19 km/h