The Tour of the South Coast has received a $4000 funding boost for next year's event.
NEXT year’s second staging of cycling’s Tour of the South West has been given a $4000 boost.
Member for South West Coast Denis Napthine yesterday announced the state government had thrown in the cash to help market the event in the hope of attracting tourists to the Warrnambool district.
The two-day event, which has been expanded to include four masters’ categories and a women’s section, earlier this month won the backing of Warrnambool City Council.
Napthine said the event was a great opportunity to showcase the district.
“Cyclists will be challenged by the tough and hilly terrain of Warrnambool and Moyne Shire, including the picturesque criterium course, which many of the riders have described as the best criterium circuit in Australia,” Napthine said.
“The tour presents an opportunity for tourism operators and local businesses to work together to promote our region.
“This event will be a great way to promote our region to the riders and the wider cycling community and, along with the Melbourne to Warrnambool, the Tour of the Great South Coast and the Shipwreck Coast Classic, will help cement the south-west as a cycling destination.”
The council has indicated the course used for this year’s inaugural tour would remain largely the same.
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