Gippsland gets 70 percent bigger

The fifth Lakes Oil Tour of Gippsland has attracted a record field of 143 cyclists from all Australian states and New Zealand. Tour director John Craven said he was thrilled by the field size, up 70 percent on last year.

“It’s not only the numbers, it’s the quality which will make this tour a great spectacle,” Craven said.

World omnium champion Leigh Howard, Beijing Olympian Jack Bobridge, Melbourne Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sean Finning, Victorian road champion David Pell and top New Zealanders Jeremy Yates and Brett Tivers head the entries.

Geelong’s Leigh Howard, 19, last year went on to triumph in the Scody Cup after winning the Paynesville criterium in the Gippsland tour. He is among the favourites to win the 2009 event.

“I think people sometimes underestimate how hard these events are,” Howard said. “They come back from overseas expecting to dominate and get a lesson. The intensity of the racing is quite incredible and it will be a very tough challenge to win the Tour of Gippsland.”

The five-day tour will start on Wednesday, July 29, with a testing 51km stage from Traralgon to Boolarra.