They’re off and racing is a saying Ian Bell is used to hearing trackside rather than roadside but that?s changing, with the former Portland resident throwing his support behind another south-west cycling event ? the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic.
Bell?s racing and breeding business Campolina is the major sponsor of the time-honoured 117-year-old race, which headlines a quality weekend of cycling for the region. While the Melbourne to Warrnambool will be contested on Saturday, October 13, the fourth Shipwreck Coast Classic will be held the following day, on Sunday, October 14. The events are part of an enviable cycling calendar in the south-west, following on from the successful running of the inaugural Budget Forkflifts Tour of the Great South Coast, which Campolina part-sponsored. Bell is no stranger to backing the classic, with his construction company Eastern Oak the naming rights sponsor in 2011. “I did it last year and when I was driving around with (race director) John (Craven) in the Tour of the Great South Coast, he asked if I would do it again,” he said. “I thought it would help develop the brand and the name Campolina down that way. “That?s where I come from and I?ve employed hundreds of people down there over the years.” Western Victoria has established itself as a racing mecca through the world-famous May Carnival, with Warrnambool the heartland of jumps racing. Seeing a cyclist salute the checkered flag gives Bell – who has about 90 racehorses in total – a similar thrill to seeing one of his runners past the post first. “I love watching cycling,” he said. “My son used to be a pretty good bike rider in that area when he was younger and some of the guys who worked with me were good bike riders, like Andrew Lindsey, who won a Melbourne to Warrnambool.” Bell bred boom mare Lady Melksham, trained by south-west export John Sadler, who is hoping to steer the four-year-old to her fifth win in six starts when she contests the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes at Flemington on September 8. While Bell owns half of the horse, it is leased out to Essedonians, an Essendon Football Club syndicate. “We breed, we sell shares and I like to keep an interest in the horses that I sell,” he said. “If anybody is interested, they can buy or lease.” Craven was pleased to welcome Campolina on board for the iconic classic. “It?s the right fit,” he said. “It?s real racing territory down there.” The Campolina Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic is expected to attract a top-class field of riders, who will be vying for a range of jerseys, including the SEW Eurodrive Sprint, Crino Cycles First Female and Lady Bay Resort King of the Mountains. Warrnambool City Council will present a jersey to the first Warrnambool rider home while Aussie Farmers Dairy has sponsored the two Lakes and Craters hill climbs near Camperdown. “We are delighted to be involved with the Melbourne to Warrnambool cycling event,” Aussie Farmers Dairy chief executive officer Peter Skene said. The 262km classic journey starts at Werribee Racecourse at 7.30am before finishing in Warrnambool?s Raglan Parade at about 2pm. The SEW Eurodrive Sprint jersey will also be up for grabs in the 116.7km Shipwreck Coast Classic, as will the Lady Bay King of the Mountains. Allansford?s Cheeseworld will present a jersey to the women?s champion in the supporting event, which has a stunning course that features the Great Ocean Road. Both races offer a total $25,000 in prizemoney. They are part of Cycling Australia?s Subaru National Road Series.
