Inverell Cycle Club to officially open new track

Back in September 2018, Lake Inverell received $2.2 million from the state government and Inverell Shire Council's Regional Growth Fund to go towards some upgrades, part of that being the new track.

The off-road criterium circuit was completed in November 2019, and now officially opened on Saturday.

The day kicked off at 9am with a range of novelty events including a celebrity bike race and bike decoration, before a five kilometre fun run at 10am.

Following the fun run, there were two duathlons for both adults and juniors. The adult event features a 2km run, 10km bike ride and then another 1km run, while the junior duathlon - for participants 16 and under - involves a 1km run, 5km ride and then a 1km run to finish.

The track was then open for the community to have a ride and test it out.

"It's a chance for the community to roll around for about half an hour," Inverell Cycle Club president Andrew Blake said.

Kicking off at 2pm will be the racing action, including an inter club competition.

"We're involved with Moree, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armidale. We're running an inter club competition series so we'll run that in conjunction with the opening," Blake said.

An A-grade criterium will follow, where Inverell talent Dylan Sunderland will be back to compete, with $500 on offer for first prize sure to attract some more quality riders.

Blake said he's looking forward to finally unveiling the new track.

"It'll be good as well to encourage the locals to get in and use it," he said.

"It's been in the pipeline for a good five or six years but with no real direction until we were able to secure a grant from the state government."

For more information, follow the Lake Inverell Cycle Track Opening event page on Facebook.