RACE REVIEW
T H E O C E A N W AY R I D E
A
fter a steller inaugural year showcasing the remarkable
coastline while raising funds for local Surf Life Saving
Clubs and bringing the community together, the Jewel
Residences Oceanway Ride can announce that cycling
legend Phil Liggett is returning in 2017.
Liggett’s 2016 appearance at the Surfers Paradise based event
included his signature Tour de France race calling for a tribe of
under-5’s racing around the ‘Little Legs’ track. His notoriously dry
humour was on show as he welcomed to the finish line the winning
team for the Staminade Ultimate Ride and his candid Q&A with
Olympic swimmer Brooke Hanson revealed the sadness he still
feels following the Lance Armstrong scandal.
However, one of the biggest highlights of the Oceanway Ride
2016 was the Jewel Residences VIP Ride and Luncheon. Starting
from Soul in Surfers Paradise to Burleigh Heads Surf Club with
a full escort, 20 VIP guests rode alongside Phil and our celebrity
cycling team, stopping for a somewhat rowdy, no-holds-barred
breakfast at the Burleigh Heads Surf Club, before returning to
Surfers Paradise. Guests were then treated to an extravagant
seafood lunch with Ligget, which included a candid Q & A hosted
by Brooke Hanson OAM . Other guests included MKR judge Pete
Evans, Miss World Australia 2015 Tess Alexander, former golden
girl of Australian Ironwoman Karla Gilbert and Queensland
Tourism Minister The Hon Kate Jones MP. This exclusive VIP ride
and private luncheon with Ligget will once again form part of the
2017 event.
The new-look 2017 Jewel Residences Oceanway Ride will
take place at world renowned Surfers Paradise on Saturday 9,
September 2017, with two course options designed to attract
leisure riders, families and first-timers, all the way through to the
‘hard-core’ cyclists.
The courses have been designed to offer participants one of the
most beautiful journeys available across Australia, in a safe and
fun environment.
THE COURSES
This year’s event features two extraordinary courses, designed
to encapsulate the Gold Coast’s world-renowned coastline and
spectacular, unspoiled Hinterland.
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Course 1: The Sea-to-the-Summit Gran Fondo is a 100km journey
from Surfers Paradise Beach to the Gold Coast’s breathtaking
hinterland.
Course 2: The Ultimate Oceanway Ride, a spectacular, 55km
journey from Surfers Paradise to Point Danger, showcasing the
Gold Coast’s splendid, sapphire-blue ocean views.
Kids: The Little Legs Criterium, a 500m closed road circuit on the
foreshore of Surfers Paradise for our most precious cyclists, where
mums and dads get to enjoy Phil Liggett’s witty race-calling, while
introducing their favourite little ones to the joy of cycling.
KING & QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
This year’s event also features a King and Queen of the Mountain
Challenge afforded to the best climber in the ride and will be one
of the biggest highlights of the Sea-to-the-Summit Gran
Fondo Course.
The 100km course features a particularly gruelling climb
element of around 5km, that promises to be a tough climb, but
one of the most rewarding and beautiful in Queensland. The King
& Queen of the Mountain will take out the prestigious title, along
with a prize money pool and a Polka Dot Jersey, personally signed
by Phil Liggett.
CHARITY
The Team at Jewel Residences Oceanway Ride are working closely
with Mates4Mates this year, to raise vital funding and increase
awareness of the vital support the organisation provides for
returned service men and women.
Mates4Mates provides invaluable care to current and ex-serving
Australian Defence Force members (and their families) who have
sustained physical or psychological wounds, injuries or illnesses
because of their service.
We are looking forward to working closely with Mates4Mates to
help them continue their vital services for former personnel and
their families.
More information and to register – www.oceanwayride.com.au