New financial incentives set to entice and motivate Port Douglas Gran Fondo criterium participants
GRAN FONDO
The countdown to this year’s Port Douglas Gran Fondo festival from September 8-10 is underway following this morning’s soft launch outside of a car dealership.
More than 1000 cyclists took part in last year’s inaugural two-day festival which saw riders participate in either a 2.2km criterium, 136km and 100km Gran Fondo rides from Port Douglas to Palm Cove and return or, lastly, the choice of a 48km one-way medio fondo ride from Palm Cove to Port Douglas.
The Choo Choos free family ride which followed the criterium was also a hit.
A new inclusion for this year will be the September 9, 40km Hartley’s to Port Douglas mountain bike race which will see competitors ride from Hartley’s Crocodile Farm, up Quaid Road, on to Black Mountain Road, along the famed Bump track to a finish at Four Mile beach.
Connect Sport Australia managing director Bade Stapleton revealed some financial incentives around this year’s criterium.
“There is now even more incentive for these riders to participate in the Lexus of Cairns Criterium on Saturday, September 9 with $5,000 in prize money now up for grabs,” Stapleton said.
“The prize money would be split evenly between the open and women’s grades.
“There will be open and women’s races in A, B, C and D grades.
“The winner of each race will receive $300, 2nd $150, 3rd $100, 4th $50 and 5th place will receive $25. A great incentive to join in the excitement on the Saturday.”
Stapleton also confirmed that $5 from every Lexus of Cairns criterium entry will be donated to COUCH (Cairns Organisation United for Cancer Health).
Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen, Leon Richardson (Lexus of Cairns) and Rebecca Dent (COUCH) were also on hard for this morning’s announcement.