This Sunday sees the Lifecycle Club's major promotion for 2007 when the 6th edition of the Avanti Classic will take place at Lowood. It is the largest field for a race in recent history with a record 223 hopeful riders have paid their nomination for a crack at the $5000 in cash and prizes on offer. The major drawcard will be the $1000 for the first rider across the line, however the next 19 riders will also be in the money (see below). There are big cash prizes for fastest time placings, and separate prize categories for women and masters. Also for the early starters there are cash prizes for the first 3 through on the first lap.

The race is run over two  laps of a 40km circuit starting and finishing in Lindemans Rd, Lowood. The circuit goes down to Fernvale and on to the Brisbane Valley highway crossing the Wivenhoe Dam. Then left towards Coominya and left again to the finish in Lowood.The race starts at 11.30am and will finish around 1pm. We have employed a specialist timing company to provide photo finish technology to help separate the finishers as the sprint for the line.

The amazing thing about this race is the opportunity for riders of all ages and abilities to race together on equal footing. The scratch riders, headed by former european pro rider David Betts, will be chasing the lead riders who will have left 31min earlier. On their way they will hope to gather up all the riders in between which did happen last year. The handicappers have made it harder this year with an additional 8min being given to the first riders. Included in the field are some of Australia's best female riders including Australian time trial champion, Carla Ryan, who is heading to Canada to join the Australian national team in a World Cup round in Montreal.

With the field so large it is hard to get everyone in the perfect group in the handicaps however the bunches are large enough to even things out. The handicaps are final and cannot be chamged on the day due to the race timing constraints. There are heaps of great spot prizes anyway including a pair of wheels from Velocity, dinner at Sonomas in Sandgate, Keywin pedals, BBB sunglasses as worn by the Quickstep team, Basta lights and Lin socks. So riders make sure you hang around as these will be randomly drawn at prizegiving.

We are lucky to have the support of the Lowood sports club who are opening their clubrooms to us with showers and toilet facilities available. Also they will have a full canteen for refreshments including a bar for a few post race drinks! We also have the support of the local SES guys and first aid personel. Registration will be open from 10am to allow for the processing of all the competitors. The weather promises to be fine and warm so bring plenty of water. The local scenery will be as awesome as ever so hope everyone has a great day. Come out and take a look!

Avanti Classic Prize Money