The inaugural Scotty's Race, scheduled to take place this Sunday, December 9, to commemorate the untimely death of one of the most promising young Victorian cyclists, Scott Peoples, has attracted a strong field of elite riders all of whom want to pay tribute to the youngster.
Many of those entered have not ridden an open race for some five years, but are down to ride and pay their respects to the memory of Peoples.
"This is undoubtedly the best field to ever assemble in Victoria for a graded scratch race of this kind," Ian Maher, of Cyclesport Victoria said.
Scott was a talented young Shepparton cyclist killed tragically in a road accident in December last year. The inaugural 'Scotty's Race' is being staged in his honour by family, friends and the cycling community.
The field of more than 200 riders vying for their share of $5000 prize money will features some of Australia's finest local talent including Mitch Docker, Darren Lapthorne, Dean Windsor, Tim Dekker, Matt King, David Pell, David Tanner, Miles Olman, Peter McDonald who will line up with locals, Leigh Egan, Trent Stevenson and Scott's brother Rick Peoples.
The 126km graded scratch race will set out from the Queens Gardens in Shepparton at 9am and proceed to race through Violet Town, Nalinga and Shepparton before arriving back at the gardens around 11.45am. All proceeds will go to the Scott Peoples Foundation to develop junior cycling in regional Victoria.
Last week the foundation raised over $20,000 at a charity auction featuring Australian Sportsman of the Year and runner-up in the Tour de France Cadel Evans.
For more information about the race visit the official Scott Peoples Foundation website.
