The decision to move this year’s individual time trial championship away from the heart of Ballarat is a backward step.
We all know time trialling is the poor relation of the road disciplines, the one that struggles most to attract a crowd. And we all know an event without a crowd is one devoid of atmosphere or any sense of occasion.
Which is why shifting this year’s time trial event to the boondocks will not be good for the sport.
Up until last year, the time trial at the national championships had been something of a problem child. Held in windswept backwaters on roads that tracked through dusty paddocks and with little or no facilities for spectators or competitors alike, the time trial often felt as though it had been tacked onto the championships as an afterthought.
Even the safety of its riders was compromised, with traffic interfering with riders on roads that were only partially closed.
Jack Bobridge was blown off his bike by a truck in 2012 and the subsequent injuries resulted in him missing the Tour Down Under, while Michael Rogers lost precious seconds when he was forced to slow down after a vehicle turned in front of him.
In short, the time trial championship has, on occasions, been little more than a shambles.
That was of course until last year.
Contributing to the success of the 2013 national road championships was having the opening day – the individual time trial – focused around Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree and on fully closed roads.
Lake Wendouree is the spiritual heart of Ballarat, a natural gathering place set in beautiful surroundings that is both easily accessible and well endowed with public facilities.
Food is available and toilets are handy. There are park benches and rotundas and plentiful shade throughout the gardens that surround the lake. It is a safe area for children to play and for people to stroll and it is the perfect location for a bike race.
Indeed, Wendouree Parade – which skirts the foreshore of the Lake – is Ballarat’s equivalent to Melbourne’s famous beach road. Any time of year cyclists of all ages and abilities can be seen spinning their way around its tree lined shores.
It was not surprising then when a healthy crowd gathered at the start/finish line for last year’s race against the clock, an epic battle between Luke Durbridge, Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte which kept the crowd enthralled.
For once, the time trial avoided the fate of being a dull, boring event devoid of atmosphere and the organisers deserved a huge pat on the back for bringing the race to the people.
But as enamoured as we all are with cycling, there are those who are less enthusiastic about our two wheeled heroes. The Lake Wendouree time trial was a success but the road closures that allowed it to happen also cut the city in half.
While most dealt with the disruption admirably, there were those who were quite vocal in their opposition to having their usual routes closed, such as the local doctor who complained of having to drive an extra 20 kilometres throughout the day to complete his house calls.
Most complaints however seemed to be directed at the detours which local council had put into place.
Despite embarking on an ‘education’ campaign several days out from the event which detailed which roads were to be closed, it appeared that the actual detours on the day were poorly signed and led drivers on wild goose chases that in some cases led them back to other blocked roadways.
Frustration was high, especially among those who lived in or were trying to negotiate the western side of the city.
So now, sadly for bike fans and competitors alike, this year’s edition of the time trial has been shunted back out of town, to an spectator unfriendly course, which starts and finishes at the Burrumbeet Hall with none of the creature comforts or space offered by Lake Wendouree.
Logistically, it makes sense for the organisers and the relevant councils to hold the time trial in a location less affected by traffic. Detours are easier to arrange and the inconvenience to those going about their daily business is minimised.
But the impact of the venue change will be significantly felt by the race itself. Crowds will be down and the poor old time trial will once again be devoid of atmosphere.
It takes a huge amount of time and effort to organise an event as big as the nationals. Organisers must work hand in hand with local councils, police and other stakeholders in order to gain the relevant permits and make the race as safe as possible.
Public needs must also be addressed and the closure of busy city streets, even if just for a few hours, often becomes a major hurdle.
While acknowledging the organisers probably had their hands tied on this one, let’s hope they left no stone unturned in their attempt to keep the time trial at Lake Wendouree.
Because if not, they have done their sport a huge disservice.
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