Cycling event attracts best of the best

Some of Australia’s best cyclists will be joined by 13-time world champion and dual Olympic gold medallist Marianne Vos at next week’s Satalyst Tour of Margaret River event.

The State Government has sponsored this year’s event through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions, which provided the funding boost to attract Vos for the week-long event.

Vos will also take part in the Breakaway WA event, which will have riders start in Albany, Denmark, Pemberton and Manjimup, before finishing in the Ferguson Valley next Thursday.

Then from November 11 to 13, the best of the best will compete in the Tour of Margaret River Australian Pro-Am.

The Tour of Margaret River is the only Pro-Am team road race in Australia and started in 2009.

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the 2016 race was expected to attract about 1000 riders.

Some of the biggest names in professional cycling to join Vos include Robbie McEwen, Tiffany Cromwell, Simon Clarke, Luke Durbridge, Matt Keenan and Scott Sunderland.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said events such as the Tour of Margaret River strengthened local tourism-related businesses and contributed to the vibrancy of regional communities.