Tassie Star Set to Triumph at Bendigo
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Caribou Publications Pty. Ltd. Suite 3, Ormond House, 109 Yarra St, Geelong, Vic, Australia 3220 (P.O. Box 4162) Telephone: (03) 5224 2466 Fax: (03) 5224 2467 Email: [email protected] Web: www.caribou.net.au Bendigo Grand Prix/Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships November 8 ‐10, 2013 MEDIA RELEASE: Monday, November 4 TASSIE STAR SET TO TRIUMPH AT BENDIGO Tasmanian Mark Jamieson – whose trophy cabinet already glistens with gold, silver and bronze – is poised to build on his collection at the Victorian open road cycling championships in Bendigo this weekend. Jamieson, 29, will contest the time trial, road race and criterium at the three-day titles which incorporate the prestigious Bendigo Grand Prix, sponsored by Hume & Iser HoME Hardware and Andy’s Earthmovers. Based in Bendigo for the past 12 months, where he is undertaking an advanced diploma of building design, Jamieson as amassed an incredible record as a cyclist, especially on the track. He won the world junior individual pursuit championship in Melbourne in 2006, was a member of Australia’s gold medal-winning pursuit team at the world titles in Bordeaux, France, in 2006, and gained silver in the teams pursuit at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, also in 2006. An Olympic medal narrowly eluded him at the Beijing Games in 2008 when the Australian team of Jamieson, Bradley McGee, Jack Bobridge and Luke Roberts surprisingly lost the ride-off for third place against New Zealand. His victories also include nearly 20 gold medals in senior and junior competition at national track championships. Jamieson maintains his passion for cycling but, as he concentrates on full-time study at Bendigo TAFE, he is no longer pressured by the intensity of competing on the international stage. “I am still a part-time bike rider, but I have changed focus and career and study are now highly important to me,” he said. Jamieson believes he has an excellent chance of winning the 30km individual time trial on the opening day of the Bendigo Grand Prix at Emu Creek on Friday. Caribou Publications Pty. Ltd. Suite 3, Ormond House, 109 Yarra St, Geelong, Vic, Australia 3220 (P.O. Box 4162) Telephone: (03) 5224 2466 Fax: (03) 5224 2467 Email: [email protected] Web: www.caribou.net.au Bendigo Grand Prix/Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships November 8 ‐10, 2013 “I should be alright in the time trial if I can get to borrow a bike,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of bike shops promise me a time trial bike. I’ll have to hurry things along – it’s pretty close.” Jamieson, who hails from Devonport on Tasmania’s North-West Coast, has settled into a comfortable existence in Bendigo with his partner of five years, Jessica Parker, also an Apple Islander. “The training opportunities are terrific,” he said. “Every Saturday morning there’s 200 blokes out there on the Emu Creek circuit where the time trial will be held. “Then you’ve got track racing on Thursday nights. Plenty of good people, plenty of opportunities. “With my building design course, I hope to eventually find my place in the building industry, but I guess I’ll forever be a cyclist. “I wanted to be a professional in Europe, but I’ve made a few mistakes in my life. That’s life, though, and I’m happy in Bendigo, doing what I’m doing.” The six-event Bendigo Grand Prix starts at 10 a.m. Friday with the 24.6km women’s time trial at Emu Creek, sponsored by the City of Greater Bendigo. The event has attracted an outstanding field which includes former Australian champion Bridie O’Donnell and last year’s winner Felicity Wardlaw. Spring Gully will be the venue for the coveted road races on Saturday, with the 79km Rising Sun Hotel women’s event starting at 8.30 a.m., followed by the 142.2km Bendigo Advertiser men’s contest at 12.30 p.m. Grand finale criteriums will be conducted in Bendigo’s CBD on Sunday, with the 25.5km Coates Hire women’s race at 12.45 p.m. and the 34km Symes Motors Nissan men’s event at 2.30 p.m. Both criteriums will start and finish in Lyttleton Terrace. The Bendigo Highland Pipe Band will entertain for 30 minutes, from 1.45 p.m. Caribou Publications Pty. Ltd. Suite 3, Ormond House, 109 Yarra St, Geelong, Vic, Australia 3220 (P.O. Box 4162) Telephone: (03) 5224 2466 Fax: (03) 5224 2467 Email: [email protected] Web: www.caribou.net.au Bendigo Grand Prix/Victorian Open Road Cycling Championships November 8 ‐10, 2013 Cyclists competing in all three events will be eligible to win the prestigious Bendigo Grand Prix, in both men’s and women’s sections. An accumulative points and prizemoney system will operate on the championships to produce overall grand prix winners. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Caribou Publications Pty Ltd John Craven (Director) P: 03 5224 2466 M: 0408 558 469 Diana Nardi (Co-ordinator) P: 03 5224 2466 M: 0412 191 582 .