If you didn’t catch our ealier post on the 2017 Dangarsleigh Bianche then you’ve got some catching up to do before the biggest event in the Australian early-season Classics Calendar. Now in it’s third year, the race has already caught the attention of the global cycling media and rumours abound that Sky’s Kwiatkowski may make the trip to Armidale to attempt a never-before-achieved double following his impressive win in Tuscany last weekend. If he does show up, Kwiatkowski won’t be in for an easy ride though – Armidale’s Dene Bourke has been planning his race for months. Last November he cleared the shelves of Big-W during their end of season tyre sale and has secured some “really good 28 section thick rubber beauties”.

This season, as we constantly strive to make a bigger, better and more thrilling contest, we are introducing time bonuses for heavier road bikes for those who shun modern carbon in favour of real steel. A weigh-in will open at 2:45pm at the start line so make sure you arrive in plenty of time to secure your handicap.

What is more, we finally have a fitting trophy for this momentous event. Created over millions of years and carefully extracted from the very course riders will race on, this priceless piece of Tuscan White Granite has been mounted on a hand-crafted block of the finest New England Blackbutt. Inscribed with the names of our two previous winners, Harrison Munday (2015) and Dave Jenner (2016), the 2017 winner will earn the right to display this incredible trophy at home for 12 glorious months.

Unlike other contests, often at the mercy of the weather, the Dangarsleigh Bianche will go ahead whatever the conditions. Torrential rain and mud will only make for a tougher, more challenging and ultimately more rewarding contest for the victor. There will only be one winner of the 2017 Dangarsleigh Bianche, could it be you?

Please note, this is a sanctioned Cycling Australia Club Road Race run by Armidale Cycling Club. It is open to all current Cycling Australia racing licence holders and we welcome riders from other local clubs – Inverell and Tamworth especially. Racing will start at 3pm on Saturday 11th March at the regular Dangarsleigh Road starting point on the edge of town. Check out our earlier post for more details including the course map and profile. Swanny has gamely volunteered to run the race and if you’re not racing yourself, please get in touch to offer your services to assist him with the weigh-in, starting and marshaling duties.