Inaugural Coast cycling event set to make its debut

The event is attracting champion riders and competitors from across the country including several Australian champions.

The inaugural Fraser Coast Gran Fondo will kick off on May 22.

The Fraser Coast’s premier new cycling event is just a week away from making its debut, with several Australian champions set to take part.

The inaugural Fraser Coast Gran Fondo will get underway at Hervey Bay’s Seafront Oval on May 22.

Participants can register for the traditional 130km Gran Fondo or the 80km Medio and can expect to mix with some of the country’s most accomplished riders with Australian champions Peta Mullens, Charlotte Culver and Paul van der Ploeg attending the Gran Fondo event.

Twelve-time Aussie champion Peta Mullens and two-time Australian champion Charlotte Culver will take part in the 130 km Gran Fondo event while professional cyclist Paul van der Ploeg will be the master of ceremonies. 

Riding bikes of all types over the past 15 years, the World Champion mountain biker has raced in the National Road series as well as Asian road tours including the Tour of Thailand and Tour of Malaysia, while wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour of Borneo.

Now doing more media, Paul is a presenter on the upcoming SBS cycling travel show Trail Towns.

Standing at 193cm, he will be hard to miss at the Fraser Coast Gran Fondo.

Fraser Coast Tourism & Events general manager Martin Simons said the Fraser Coast Grand Fondo was a big step towards the region’s broader ambitions to become Queensland’s major destination for sporting tourism.

“This style of cycling event will attract both elite and mass market participation and bring strong economic benefit to the region,” he said.

Supported by AusCycling Queensland, the event will attract top cyclists from around the country as well as local riders.

Originally published as Inaugural Coast cycling event set to make its debut