The Tweed’s Battle on the Border 2013 will launch the first race of the Tour de Tweed five stage multi-race series tomorrow morning. Starting at the most northern edge of New South Wales, overlooking the iconic Duranbah surfing beach, 140 of the nation’s elite riders will gather in 21 teams to race the inaugural NRS Mens Classic.
Gathered at Point Danger are some of Australia’s emerging talents that will soon be racing in international events, the NRS Mens Classic will set the scene for a battle throughout the Tweed coastline and Tweed Valley over the next four days. With teams from every state, and riders from both domestic and international clubs, the heat will certainly be on for this first stage to set some impressive leads early in the race program.
Leaving Point Danger and rolling through Tweed Heads, before entering the Pacific Highway, this convoy features almost 40 vehicles under NSW Police escort that will quickly pick up pace when climbing into Farrants Hills, racing through Murwillumbah south over the Burringbar Range, through Mooball down to Ocean Shores, then returning over Burringbar, out through historic Stokers Siding and onto Kyogle Road.
With 100km already completed the pace is expected to pick up significantly from Uki as the teams work to bring their climbers to the front in preparation for the much anticipated 4km climb to the core of the Mt Warning Caldera. Teams need to have their climbers well positioned as the mountain provides a particularly sharp set of early climbs, before a false bottom and then a serious 15 per cent final assault into the national park.
Interstate teams have been in the Tweed training since late last week, along with Dracpac who have only just arrived back from Singapore races – in an attempt to catch up on lost time as local teams used their advantage since March training most weekends.
Race Planner Stan Brims has spent ten months working with NSW Police, RMS, and the Tweed Shire Council to present this unique race from coast to crater point to mountain and he invites all riders and residents to join him to launch the 2013 Battle on the Border.
Local racing legend Robbie McEwen of the Tour de France will also be there to introduce riders and provide last minute technical advice before dropping the flag.
If you are a serious cyclist, a social rider, or an armchair enthusiast don’t miss this exciting start, in a stunning location. We hope to see you Thursday.
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