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The Gippsland Town of Churchill is Tipped to be a Highlight of The 2019 Jayco Herald

Town of Churchill, to be a Highlight of The 2019 Jayco Herald.

By Portal Admin - 27th January 2019 - Back to News

Sun Tour and Lexus of Blackburn Women�s Herald Sun Tour, when the men�s and women�s pelotons converge on the town in January.

Located in the Latrobe Valley, Churchill will play host to the Lexus of Blackburn Women�s Herald Sun Tour Thule stage two start and finish as well as the finish of the men�s Thule stage two on Thursday, 31 January 2019.

Women�s Race Director and event General Manager John Trevorrow said the Churchill stage would be the toughest yet for both the men and the women competing in Australia�s oldest stage race.

"Following on from the incredible racing we saw at the inaugural Women�s Herald Sun Tour in 2018, the Thule Stage 2 will see the hills come into play again for the women.

"Using the same exciting but extremely tough finish climb and descent as the men earlier in the day, the race will sure to be decided on this section of the course.

"Not to be let off lightly however, earlier in the stage the riders will tackle an 8-kilometre climb to get the legs ready for what is to come. This incredible course for the final stage of the Lexus of Blackburn Women�s Herald Sun Tour will rival the excitement of the 2018 Healesville stage," said Trevorrow.

Men�s race director Scott McGrory:

"The opening kilometres from Wonthaggi may lure the peloton into a false sense of security as the wide open roads are not a challenge to the world�s elite riders. But what awaits will have them scrambling to stay in overall contention.

"From the midway point of the day, the road starts to weave its way through the valleys in a way the riders will enjoy. The climbs are gentle and if the form is good, it will be somewhat akin to a cycling rollercoaster. But when they enter the final 30kms they will need to concentrate as the hills steepen and the turns become sharper. Few in the peloton will know the final climb, but the name Jeeralang is set to be the nucleus of many post-race tales.

"With pinches of up to 20% in gradient, a final push to the summit on a steep dirt section before a downhill dash to the finish - this stage is not for the faint hearted.

The view from the top of the climb is spectacular, but it's a guarantee that not one rider will notice as they will be deep under pressure to stay in touch with the leaders."

The City of Latrobe will also see more action for the Jayco Herald Sun Tour on the 1st of February as the riders cross back through the region on stage 3, covering the 161 kilometre distance between Sale and Warragul. The trip taking the race just north of population centres of Morwell, Moe and Traralgon

The Herald Sun Tour is Australia�s oldest stage race with former winners including Tour de France champions Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, Tour de France Green Jersey winner Baden Cooke as well as the inaugural Women�s Herald Sun Tour champion Brodie Chapman.

For more information including the course details, head to www.heraldsuntour.com.au.

Stage highlights will be broadcast on SBS, FOX Sports and Eurosport. Closing stages of each day�s racing will be live streamed, with the final stage live on air on SBS VICELAND from 1.30pm until 4pm Sunday, February 3.

For more information including the course details www.heraldsuntour.com.au.

or contact LUCY HINCHEY at Cozalive Media lucy@cozalive.com