Giro di Brisbane at Italian festival

Queensland, Australia, will have a new criterium next month when the Brisbane Abruzzo Club hosts "Italy 2005" on Sunday, November 13. Apart from the fine food, wine and other festivities which make up Italian culture promoted that day, a 60 minute cycling Criterium - the Giro di Brisbane - will pit the talents of Queensland’s top cyclists against some of Australia’s best riders.

CEO of Cycling Queensland, Wendy Sanders, said the Criterium would be a fantastic addition to the day’s celebrations. "It’s going to be a very hotly contested race which will give spectators a chance to see some of Australia’s best cyclists competing," Sanders said, adding that she was delighted to finally receive permission from the police and Brisbane City Council following six months of negotiations regarding where the race would take place.

The Criterium will begin at 3:50 p.m. from the Brisbane Abruzzo Club with the 85 competitors completing a circuit course which winds through Fursden Road, Ellen Street, Kate Street, Preston Street and turns on Meadowlands Road. "Italy 2005" festivities will commence from 10 a.m.