WHILE the inaugural Nick Gates Classic came wrapped in star power in
Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen, this year it's all about the locals.
The now-retired former Australian rider is in town for the second running of the classic
– which was created to raise funds for young cyclists – and he is
hoping the Townsville riders can make an impression this afternoon.
The event has been brought forward to tie in with the TP Human Capital Corporate Team Triathlon which will be held tomorrow.
It is a blockbuster weekend of sport on The Strand and Gates said he was hopeful the trend would continue in years to come.
''It's come around quite quick actually, it's two months earlier than what we did last year,'' he said.
''We're trying to make it a multi-sport, festival weekend for the future.
''It's
going to be a great weekend for The Strand with the bike race and then
the triathlon, they'll have close to 1000 competitors.
''It's definitely a great weekend of sport in Townsville.''
It
will be a big weekend for the 37-year-old, who will contest the event
named after him and then back up to compete in the triathlon.
While
he is widely tipped to win both, he is wary of his young opposition
breathing down his neck - especially in his pet cycling event.
''Considering I'm only about 10 per cent fit on what I used to be,'' he said.
''I'm here just to support the event, I was a bit wary of doing the criterium because it's my race.
''I'd like to go in and help the young guys, if they learn anything in the 45-minute criterium then I'm happy.
''We've
got a couple of good local guys riding. Chris Clem has been in the
United States for a few years now and guys by the names of Josh Hislop
and Joel Lewis are Townsville young guys racing on the national
calendar.
''They'll be out to impress and they'll be going pretty hard.''
Gates
said he was looking forward to playing a mentor role for the younger
riders and hoped the Townsville crowd got behind and supported their
home-town products.
''It's great that they can have a race of this magnitude on their doorstep and show people what they're doing,'' he said.
''That's
what happens every time I ride now, that's what happens when you
retire. It's good to see them come along and learn, get the experience
from racing old hacks like me.''
SBS commentator and former racing legend David McKenzie is also in town for the classic and will commentate the event.
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