NSW INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX
The NSW International Grand Prix was staged for the first occasion in December 2010 and featured five exciting rounds – at Bathurst, Parramatta Park, Gosford under lights and then the two televised events at Coogee and Cronulla.
The series, born from the Cronulla International Grand Prix, an event that has been staged since 2006, when Cronulla needed positive publicity and promotion following the riots that did little for the image of this idyllic coastal suburb.
With the support of National Nine, the number one television station in the country and the Olympic network for the 2012 London Olympics, the Cronulla Grand Prix built a reputation for attracting the biggest names in Australian cycling.
The likes of Robbie McEwen, Stuart O’Grady, Matt White, Brad McGee, Simon Gerrans, Baden Cooke, Graham Brown, Nick Gates, Matthew Hayman, Chris Sutton, Alan Davis, Steve Wooldridge, Mark Renshaw, Ben Kersten, Wes and Bernard Sulzberger and many others.
The Women’s events have also attracted the stars with the likes of Rochelle Gilmore taking out last year’s event in her first race for the women's Dream Team whilst the previous year, Kirsty Broun claimed not just the win but the Australian Grand Prix Championship defeating Gilmore with sheer strength and power. Kate Bates won the event over Rochelle in 2007 and Kate Nichols defied all odds to win in a breakaway in the very first year, 2006.
The men’s events was won by Graham Brown the inaugural winner in 2006, with Matthew White winning in 2007, improving on his 3rd place in the initial year. In 2008, Wes Sulzberger claimed the National title with a clear cut win over Peter McDonald and last year USA Pro Criterium Champion and kilometre gold medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Ben Kersten, stole the honours in a thrilling finish over Team Sky’s Chris Sutton and dual Olympic champion Graham Brown.
In 2010, Rochelle Gilmore took the Women’s Series and Chris Sutton won the Men’s Series.
The 2011 NSW Grand Prix Series, supported by Destination NSW, will be staged over a weekend round – Saturday 26 November in Wollongong and on Sunday 27 November in Cronulla. Both events will be televised live nationally by Network Nine.
The Women and Men’s competition will be joined this year by a Masters series and will attract some of the best names in the country.
