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ELGAS TOUR OF THE MURRAY RIVER 2009
Wednesday, 26th August, 2009

Wentworth will again have their own mini tour de France when they host the finish of Stage 13, the Merbein Community Bank’s Merbein to Wentworth road race on Saturday, September 5, 2009.
A wide range of enjoyable activities has been planned, culminating in what is bound to be an exciting finish to the Merbein to Wentworth Stage of the Tour.
 
The aim of this year’s program is to give a warm Wenty welcome to the riders as they cross the finish line.

Cr. Margaret Thomson, Mayor of the Wentworth Shire, noted that this year’s activities were being aimed at good old fashioned family fun.  ‘We are trying to encourage families to come and enjoy the many activities while we eagerly await the bikes to race to the finish line’, Cr. Thomson said.

‘As a build up to the conclusion of the race, our Delta Scouts Group will once again stage a bike orienteering event, that is sure to be hotly contested.  There will be a bike obstacle course, a uni-cycle display, and loads of other activities for families to participate in.  We are also planning to stage our own ‘race to the finish line’ to allow kids of all ages to feel the exhilaration of a race finish.
We would like to see as many families as possible bringing their bikes along and become a part of this wonderful event. All the fun will kick-off from 2pm outside the Wentworth Services Club. We are pleased to acknowledge that the Wentworth Community Bank is the sponsor of the Family bike event,’ the Mayor concluded.

Eddie Warhurst, Chairman of the Tour Steering Committee commended the involvement of the Wentworth Shire Council in building on the enthusiastic basis established in past years.

‘The activities planned have a real point of difference and were well supported in 2008. All connected with the Tour considered the concept to be a first class initiative that emphasized the overall aim of the Tour of the Murray River – an event that not only is a prestigious bike race, but is now a unique community based regional event that strives to give due recognition to the numerous locations involved.’
Mr Warhurst concluded by saying that the commitment of Wentworth remains a vital part of a unique event that is now in its fourteenth year of controlled growth.

‘The Council and the community remain a pleasure to work with as they consolidate their special contribution to the overall success of the Tour.’

 ‘This year, competitors will continue to be grouped together in teams of up to seven riders, giving the event a distinct ‘Tour de France’ flavour. The team’s competition was described in 2008 as the most exciting innovation to be introduced into Australian domestic road cycling for many years. This proved to be so, as intense competition was the overall result.

The tour is expected to again be contested by over 100 top-flight cyclists from all Australian states and overseas. 

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