Adelaide’s elite cycling series will start and finish at the flagship Bowden development as part of a two-year sponsorship deal that will see the series named the Bowden Elite Team Series.

Renewal SA first sponsored the South Australian elite cycling series last year, but has secured naming rights with Cycling SA for a further two seasons in a new agreement that will also see a Bowden branded team of eight young cyclists entered in the race.

Renewal SA Chief Executive Fred Hansen said the sponsorship was a great partnership with Cycling SA and good way to promote the high-density urban development at Bowden through highlighting the competitive side of cycling.

“Walking, cycling and healthy living are central to the ethos of Renewal SA and in particular the Bowden development, so it was a good fit to support our elite cyclists through this sponsorship,” Mr Hansen said.

“Having the starting and finishing stages on the city’s doorstep at Bowden is a great opportunity to promote the healthy living, cosmopolitan lifestyle that Bowden offers, where pedestrians and cyclists come first and support young up and comers.”

For the first time, this year’s race will include a South Australian Sports Institute development squad racing under the Bowden brand. The team includes last year’s winner, twenty-year-old Harry Carpenter.

“It’s great to be able to help up and coming young South Australian cyclists by partnering with SASI to support a development squad,” Mr Hansen said. “Renewal SA is pleased to support the valuable work that SASI is doing in developing and supporting athletes with the potential to perform at the highest national and international levels.”

Cycling SA President Lynette Collins said the partnership with Renewal SA’s Bowden development helped build pathways for the best of their elite male riders.

“This exciting series is about bringing the highest quality team racing opportunities and courses to our top riders and this sponsorship is helping us to do just that.

“With the inclusion of Adelaide Tour in the National Road Series, the Bowden Elite Team Series has become vital for the preparation of our best young riders and an invaluable experience for them as they transition to the national and international stage.”

The opening race (round 1) will take place on Sunday 6 October starting 8.30am at Bowden.

The closing race (round 10) will take place on Sunday 15 December, starting and finishing in Bowden.

With six of the 10 rounds being held around the city, local cycling fans will have ample opportunity to watch the teams battle it out across a number of events including Team Time Trials, Hill Time Trial and Criteriums at Victoria Park.

Rounds 2, 3 and 4 make up the Hell of the North Ride – a 110km road race across the Copper Coast including The Dunes at Pt Hughes, and Kadina. It starts at 1pm on Saturday 19 October and continues on the Sunday.

And for the first time this year, all of the teams competing in the series will participate in Amy’s Ride SA. Bike SA is closing the entire Southern Expressway on Sunday 3 November as thousands of people, young and old, pedal their way to the finish line at McLaren Vale. Amy’s Ride is an initiative of Bike SA and the Amy Gillett foundation highlighting the need for safe and cycle friendly communities. For more information visit www.amygillett.org.au.

Background

The $1 billion Bowden development, spanning approximately 16 hectares, will eventually see the construction of more than 2,400 homes for approximately 3,500 new residents over the next 10–12 years.

The development will generate up to 2,200 new jobs including 470 construction jobs and will provide opportunities for businesses to operate in a vibrant, walkable community close to the city.

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