Bon Voyage L’Étape

By Steve Cuff

THE L’Étape Australia by le Tour de France staged their fourth and most successful event in late November where over 3000 cyclists completed either the 170km Race or the 108km Ride course.

Starting in Jindabyne with two separate start times, riders in both events were subjected to tough cycling conditions with cool morning air filled with smoke from nearby fires, extreme blustery winds that buffeted all cyclists, some rain showers plus riders on the climb to Perisher did encounter sleet.

The gruelling 170km Race did little to deter young Campbell Jones, who led a small group onto the Col de Kosciuszko and then left them in his wake as he pulled away. In the end the Oliver’s Real Food Racing Team member was ecstatic as he claimed his first main victory. Jay Vine and Ben Metcalfe filled the placings.
The Canberra rider who grew up in Scone said he was in the breakaway all day and that the lead group had also experienced the better conditions on the final climb to Perisher. “I was with them (group of 4) until the bottom (Col de Kosciuszko) and one by one they dropped off and left me alone. I was solo from about 60ks to go. This is probably my first proper win, so I am pretty happy about it,” said Campbell.
In a nice twist, his grandparents Neil and Anne had travelled from Tumbarumba to watch and when they arrived at the finish line, they heard commentator Dave McKenzie say on the microphone, it looks like Campbell Jones has a clear lead. And then he crossed the line.

The female winner Nadine Gill had an interesting story. The German rider who lives in Brazil had won the L’Étape Brazil, and part of her prize was choosing what other L’Étape event to compete. She chose Australia and visited for the first time.
On stage accepting her prizes Nadine said it had been a tough and lonely ride as she rode from the top of Col de Beloka by herself in what she said was hard conditions.
Jessica Pratt (2nd) and Vicki Whitelaw (3rd) from the Sydney UNI women’s cycling team filled the places where both girls crossed the finish line only centimetres apart but recorded the same actual time.

The L’Étape Australia organisers have always had ambassadors, this year again Amanda Spratt, Australia’s leading female rider and Columbian Esteban Chaves attended. Former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh is now also associated through his Steve Waugh Foundation.
Waugh has taken to cycling in recent years as part of his ‘Captains Ride’ also agreed that the conditions were tough as his team crossed the finish line together.

The King of the Mountain (KOM) jersey was awarded to both male and female in the Race and Ride, with Jay Vine and Nadine winning the Race KOM respectively. In the Ride, Nigel Smith and Megan Frail each had the fastest time on the Col de Beloka, or The Wall, as the local riders name it.

The Jindabyne Cycling Club have supported each of the four years with a large number of riders. This year was no different, which also resulted in a clean sweep of the Ride individual events plus winning three team events.
Kent Carpenter and Gail Pearson both won the Ride, with the Jindabyne Cycling Club winning the men’s team, women’s team and mixed team events on the 108km Ride.
Popular young local rider Lachie Harrigan also had one of the biggest cheers when he crossed the finish line in 14th place overall. Another notable performance was Amanda Spratt’s father Graeme, who competed in the 65-69 age group and still placed third in the overall Ride event.

In what was the final L’Étape event for the Snowy Mountains region, the event moves to Kiama in 2020, organisers have continually fine-tuned aspects over the four years to have it perfect for its swansong event.
The village atmosphere in Banjo Paterson Park on the foreshore of Lake Jindabyne was vibrant as most riders congregated after receiving their medal for completing the event.
As sunshine burst through in the afternoon, it was like the harsh conditions from earlier in the day had vanished from rider’s minds, only the pain in the legs to remind them of their achievement.
As commentator Dave McKenzie pointed out numerous times as he called riders names over the finish line, not even elite athletes ride for up to 5 to 7 hours, yet here were amateur riders determined to complete their chosen distances.

The local communities have embraced the event from day one, and while there were some people inconvenienced by the closed roads, the event has injected over $7 million into the region’s economy during the four years.

Jindabyne, Berridale and Dalgety communities have added to the atmosphere and theme of decorating the roads and residents cheering on riders as they pass through their town, or past their property, and as a tourist region the event has had a huge impact for this time slot each year.

From a rider’s perspective, they have all stated how the warm welcome they receive each year has been pivotal in how they judge the overall event. Riding in true Tour de France conditions, with support vehicles on closed roads with the tough climbs all part of the L’Étape appeal.

We wish L’Étape Australia by le Tour de France all the best in their new home of Kiama for the next two years, and I am sure I can extend an open invitation on behalf of the local Snowy Mountains communities that all riders plus the L’Étape event are welcome here at any time.

The L’Étape event has ensured the Snowy Mountains roads and cycling terrain have been put on the Australian cycling map. For two years the biggest name in world cycling, and Tour de France champion Chris Froome competed in the event as an ambassador. They have the leading cycling world commentators Matthew Keenan and Dave McKenzie, Matt even riding his first L’Étape event. Plus, SBS have continually advertised the event on their Tour de France coverage, watched by all cycling and non-cycling fans.

We are sure the event will continue to run for many years and our region would like it to return here at some stage in the future. Good luck in Kiama.

Results

170km Race - Men
1st. Campbell Jones 4:37:20
2nd. Jay Vine 4:38:33
3rd. Ben Metcalfe 4:47:19

170km Race - Women
1st. Nadine Gill 5:17:55
2nd. Jessica Pratt 5:20:27
3rd. Vicki Whitelaw 5:20:27
The Race King of the Mountain
Men Jay Vine – Women Nadine Gill