General News

Shannon Miraglia always led an active lifestyle until a back injury prevented her from exercising for 18 months. As a part of her recovery program and in an effort to get back to her “optimum weight” Shannon took up cycling with the Perth Integrated Health Cycling Group. Six months later, (and 14kg lost) Shannon participated in the Niche Living Women’s Training Program conducted by Hall Cycle Training and soon after completing the program decided to step up from participation events to racing. Shannon will come to the 2015 Tour as a part of the Next Vision Women’s Cycling Team, by her own admission she may not be a contender at the tour, but that’s not the point.

Photo courtesy: Lite n’ Easy

The OTOC Vault Racing Team arrived on the NRS scene this year in a way reminiscent of the Lothbroks going on a family holiday to the County of Wessex, pulling off a stunning victory at the Tour de Perth against quality opposition. Their recent merger with the GDT Flanders Team brings together master tacticians Brad Hall and Gordon Hindley in a formidable combination. With high calibre riders like Stephen Hall and Jai Hindley likely to return to Australia for the tour and the prodigious young talents of Michael Storer and Craig Wiggins at their disposal, this team will be looking to take home both the GC and Young Riders Jersey from Margaret River. Photo Credit: Tony Lendrum, Tom Lowry Memorial

On paper Stage 1 looks little more than a prologue at just 7.5km, however when you add in some serious gradients this stage will be a lot more challenging than it appears on paper. To add to the intrigue each team will commence the stage together, however every rider will be given their own individual time at the finish line. It raises the question; Will your team work together or will you race each other to the top to establish your GC rider for the rest of the tour?  This ascent will not decide the tour, but with a number of categorised climbs to come in the following days it will show us who the real contenders are. 

We are very pleased to welcome back Simon Clarke to our Pro Register for the 2015 tour. Simon made a host of friends at last year’s ToMR and his actions during this year’s Giro d’Italia have served only to confirm what we already knew; that he is a great bloke as well as a great bike rider. With a number of other Orica-GreenEDGE riders about to join the Register and several requests to bring partners to Margaret River, ToMR is beginning to look like an end of season trip for our beloved team in green and blue.

As the 2014 Tour kicks off there will be the opportuntiy to wine and dine with some of the stars of Australian cycling in the intimate environment of Arimia Estate.  Head Chef, Evan Hayter has designed a menu that abounds in tasty treats and features some of the regions best wines and produce.  Book your place by clicking on the following link: Arimia Legend’s Night Numbers are strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. A full list of guests will be released closer to the date.