41 Years of History, Tradition and Racing

The story of the GSCC Open Handicap is one deeply embedded in the history of our club and veteran cycling in Victoria. Founded in 1977 as the Geelong Veterans Cycling Club, the club raced under the banner of the Victorian Veterans Cycling Council (VVCC). With a growing passion for competitive handicap racing, it wasn't long before the club decided to create an event of its own. In 1984, the inaugural Geelong Veterans Open Handicap was held, with club member R. Jefferies becoming the first rider to have their name etched into the honour roll. Over the years, the Open Handicap has grown into one of the club's most prestigious and enduring events, attracting riders from veteran and masters cycling clubs from across Victoria. The history books reveal that home-ground advantage has certainly played its part, with club members recording an impressive 15 Open Handicap victories. The next most successful club has been Colac Veterans with 5 victories, followed by Warrnambool Veterans and Northern Veterans with 4 wins each. Eureka has recorded 3 victories, Eastern 2, while Hume, Southern and Central Veteran Clubs have each claimed the honour once. The race has also played an important role in the history of women's racing. In 1994, Leanne McPherson of Warrnambool became the first female winner of the GSCC Open Handicap. In 2014, recognising the club's growing footprint across the region, the Geelong Veterans Cycling Club rebranded as the Geelong Surf Coast Cycling Club (GSCC) - a name that better reflected the communities and regions the club represented. Across more than four decades of Open Handicap racing, only one rider has managed to conquer the event twice. Darren Roberta of Northern Veterans claimed victory in both 2016 and 2018, earning his place as the race's only dual winner. And now, the story continues. This year, the GSCC Open Handicap will be raced for the 41st time. Forty-one editions. Decades of competition. Hundreds of riders. One honour roll. Will we see a new name etched into GSCC history? Or will a former champion rise again and join Darren Roberta as only the second dual winner of this prestigious race?

The roads will decide. The history awaits.

Races are conducted at Paraparap, Victoria.

• GSCC conducts road racing events in the beautiful hinterland of Geelong’s Surfcoast region at Paraparap.

• The GSCC Club house is situated on Grassdale Rd, on the corner with Hunts Rd, it is just off Hendy Main Rd.

Race Details:

* Red light policy: A tail light is required for all races

• Open to AusCycling members aged, Males 30 & older and Females 23 & older, who hold a “Club” or “Race” membership.

• Course: Start at clubrooms, out Hendy Main Rd and Larcombes Rd to Forest Rd (1st turn around @ Gundry Rd), return Forest Rd to Nobles Rd (turn around), return Nobles Rd back to Forest Rd (2nd turn around @ Gundry Rd) + 0.75 lap from Grays Rd , finish Larcombes Rd (A) - 70km

• 9.30am sign in at Clubrooms, 10am race start

• Course Map - Click Here

• No new riders or “Trial Rider"

• No on the day entries

• Provide your AusCycling license number, transponder number and expected racing grade

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Race Fees & Prize Money

• $35 entry fee for all entrants
  

Transponders required - $5 Hire Fee (Please note a fee of $50 will be levied for unreturned Transponders)

Prize Money - Paying down to 10th + highest placed 60 year and over. + highest placed 70 year and over + Lanterne Rouge

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Grades & Race Durations

Race type	Duration
Handicap Race	70 kms

Safety Briefing

Races are conducted on open public roads & GSCC holds the necessary permits for this event.

The safety of Riders, Officials & the general public is our priority, please observe the following instructions :-

• Keep to the left at all times, to minimize the impact to other road users

• Obey Road Rules at all times

• Follow the directions of race officials

• In the sprint, maintain a straight line, and keep both your hands on the bars before, during and after the sprint

• Have a working tail light

• Attend event pre race briefing

While every endeavour has been to provide riders with a safe riding environment, we cannot predict the unexpected - cycle racing can be a dangerous sport.

Acknowledgement of Country

Our cycling club races on the lands of the Wadawurrung people and we wish to acknowledge them as traditional owners. We would also like to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and Aboriginal Elders of other communities.

More Information

* Red light policy: A tail light is required for all races

* Announcements:

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