The Classics’ first Gran Fondo cycling event for 2024 took place on Saturday with over 2,000 cyclists and supporters descending upon the Snowy Mountains for the third-annual Snowy Classic.
The sun was shining as the event kicked off from the Jindabyne Start Line, where cyclists eagerly embarked on their journey through some of Australia’s most stunning regional towns including Berridale, Dalgety & Perisher Valley. Completing either the 110km Challenge Classic or 170km Maxi Classic, both courses included the infamous Beloka Climb, or more commonly known as “The Wall”.
First rider over Beloka was Leo Yip who led the lead pack by close to 4-minutes at that stage. But Leo was caught on the Perisher climb by Brad Bannister who was ultimately first home to Jindabyne by roughly the same time, 4 minutes.
“It was a great ride, a great day,” Brad told us. “It’s my first time in the Snowies and I absolutely loved it. “I saw Leo on the Perisher climb, he was rocking side to side a little so I put the hammer down, passed him and never looked back. I was starting to cramp at the end but made it.”
Another victorious 170km Maxi Classic rider was Bridgett Bremner, one of a group of 20 from Sydney’s Park Life Cycling Club who made the trek to the Snowies for the event.
“For me today was a big step,” Bridgett told us near the finish line. “Last year I was battling breast cancer for the whole year. For me to come back and do this is fucking amazing – sorry to swear but it is. I was still lightly training last year, but obviously nothing like normal. I was determined to come back after that … to have a goal and go all in, and I thought ‘this is it’.”
“There have been a few tears today,” she continued. “It has been quite overwhelming.”
Bridgett Bremner, Breast Cancer Survivor & 170km Maxi Classic Rider
Not only attracting cyclists from across Australia, riders also came from England, the Philippines and New Zealand. The event provides a tourism boost of over $1.5 million to the Snowy Monaro community and engages with a significant number of local suppliers, vendors and community groups.
The Snowy Classic would like to thank the local community for its support and patience. In particularly, the many local individuals and communities who were involved in the event including CWA Berridale, CWA Jindabyne Day, Berridale RFS, Jindabyne Navy Cadets, Jindabyne Community Garden, Snowy Mountain Christian School and Snowy Mountain Grammar School.
Snowy Classic organisers extend a special thank you to Destination NSW, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Tourism Snowy Mountains, Department of Transport and Main Roads, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and NSW Police for their ongoing support and assistance.
The Snowy Classic is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
Save the date! The Snowy Classic will be returning on Saturday, 22 March 2025.
The next Classic event will be the Mudgee Classic on 4 – 5 May, 2024. Registrations are now open at www.mudgeeclassic.com.au.
For full results for all age groups and categories visit THIS PAGE HERE.
