2009 Menzies Classic Cycle Race
31 May 2009

2009 prize money is provisional

• Entry
• Prize Money & Race Details
• Race History
• Past Results
• Notes
• Finding Accommodation

In 1928 the first Menzies to Kalgoorlie, Western Australia – Chas Egan Memorial Race was held over 86 miles of gravel, sand and mud.

With the backing of our sponsors, $15,000 in prize money and unique race experience, the Menzies will again attract the state’s best riders.

The Menzies Classic Cycle Race is the Richest Handicap race in Australia, offering:

• $13,300 Prize Money for the Menzies Race
• $1,700 Prize Money for the Criterium
• Grade Prize Money paid through A–D Grade
• Participation ride (new this year)
• Presentation Dinner
• Famous Kalgoorlie Hospitality

Entry

Nomination period ends Tuesday, 26 May 2009.

Prize Money & Race Details

The Criterium

Saturday, 30 May 2009, from 2.00pm

Road Race: 132km Menzies to Kalgoorlie Handicap

Sunday, 31 May 2009, from 10am
Departing from Menzies Town Hall

NB: Riders are only eligible to claim the highest value prize except for those with the fastest time, and first to Davyhurst, Broad Arrow and Smelter Turnoff.

Race History

The Menzies to Kalgoorlie race has a wonderful history which will be reflected in the excitement of this year’s event. The race commenced in 1928, following a discussion at a club meeting concerning the lack of distance races on the Goldfields, Messrs J Richards, JC Walsh, Chas Egan along with a small committee set about organising a long distance event. Their choice of starting point was the small mining town of Menzies, 81 miles north of Kalgoorlie. Many of the business men of the Goldfields supported the venture and, on the King’s Birthday, June 1928, at 8:00am, the limit men were sent away for the first “Menzies”. Twenty-four riders started in this event.

From its inauguration in 1928 until 1932 the race was known as the Menzies–Kalgoorlie Road Race, but two days before the race of that year Charlie Egan, the well-liked and highly respected secretary of the club, tragically died, and all riders in the race that year wore black armbands as a token of repect. It was decided later that the race of which Chas Egan was one of the originators, should in future be known as the “Chas Egan Memorial Race”.

In 1935, owing to a scarcity of riders and general lack of interest, the race was held to Bulla-Bulling and return, but that was the only divergence from the original course, as in the following year it reverted to the old Menzies–Kalgoorlie course. From that time, the race grew in popularity, and its prize list increased until it finally became Western Australia’s richest handicapped road race.

Mention of the Goldfields Road Classic is not complete without some comment on the road. During the first five years the term “road” could hardly apply to the bush track, rough, ripply and sandy, that connected Menzies to Kalgoorlie, and the stretch from Menzies to Comet Vale was a cyclist’s nightmare, being almost axle deep sand.

By the late thirties, the road improved. Although it was still far from perfect, at least by then a cyclist could heave a sigh of relief when he reached bitumen at Broad Arrow, instead of bumping over ripples, skidding in ruts and ploughing through sand for the rest of the journey right into Hannan Street as the earlier cyclists did.

The great road rider R Hudson, the winner in 1928, once took 5 hours 55 minutes, 45 seconds to cover the 81 miles from Menzies to Kalgoorlie. In 1939 another great rider, Geo Hebbard, took a mere 3 hours 35 minutes 35 seconds. This record was eventually broken in 1993 when Andrew Sime clocked 3 hours 20 minutes 10 seconds. The race times have continued to fall, with record times being set nearly every year. In 1998 Paul Miller set a time of 2 hours 46 minutes 48 seconds. In 2001 Tyson Lawrence covered the distance in 2 hours 36 minutes 51 seconds. The 2002 Classic produced a new benchmark time with Russell VanHout covering the distance in 2 hours 28 minutes and 10 seconds. Will this be broken in 2009?

• Results – 2008
• Results – 2007

Notes

Tea/coffee/fruit will be available in Menzies before the race. Toilet facilities are also available.

As you leave Menzies there is a single rail crossing at an angle across the road. Please be careful when crossing.

Obey all road rules during the ride, ie do not cross centre line of road at any time. Road trains use this road – please ride safely. Failure to obey rules will result in disqualification.

When you reach Kalgoorlie you will ride over a railway bridge, as you descend there is a sharp right hand turn with traffic islands – please take care when cornering. The intersection will be marshalled to stop traffic but please be careful. From this corner riders head down Hannan Street through a single lane roundabout approaching the city’s main intersection, which will be marshalled and closed to traffic, on for another 250 metres to Cassidy Street where a U turn is completed ready for the sprint back up Hannan Street to finish outside Monty’s before the roundabout.

The road to the finish line is dual carriageway, you must stay on the correct side of the road at all times. The road will be closed but please beware of cars.

Finding Accommodation

For the 2008 Menzies Classic and Criterium, accommodation options may be found in this Kalgoorlie Accommodation Guide.

See Club News for discounted accommodation offers.

Copyright © 2009 Eastern Goldfields Cycle Club