The Canberra Tour will be conducted under the rules and regulations of Cycling ACT and Cycling Australia. The Canberra Tour is a National Road Series event for A grade men and women. The Canberra Tour will also conduct racing for B, C, D, & E grade men, B & C grade women. Based on race numbers at previous events an allowance has been made within the program for 2 D grades to compete in this year’s tour.

As each race is conducted on public roads all grades will be briefed on the rules for the race and any other special instructions by the Chief Commissaire and ACT Police prior to the start of the stage. The rules are included in the program.'

See yourself in Canberra

See yourself in Canberra - there’s never been a better time to visit, http://www.visitcanberra.com.au/ for all your accommodation, attractions, food and entertainment information. Canberra is full of fantastic experiences for visitors. Set within leafy surrounds, this modern city offers fun for the kids, a busy calendar of events and festivals, as well as stylish restaurants, bars and shops.

Eligibility: Participation in the 26th Canberra Tour is open to:

• Individuals: male and female members with a current CA licence, in Elite and Masters age categories;
• Teams: A grade elite team may be entered consisting of a maximum of 6 riders, multiple team entries encouraged.

Race entries will be open through the Canberra Cycling Club website in early March.

Closing Date for Entries – Monday, 19th April

Late Entries – No late entries will be accepted.

Clothing, riders must wear their endorsed Club racing uniform. The wearing of alternate racing uniform may only be with the approval of the respective State Association and confirmation of such approval must be presented at registration. NRS Teams riders are to wear the official team clothing. If two NRS teams are entered from the same squad, kit must be distinguishable by the Commissaire and other competitors, ie different knicks or Jersey.

RFID Results System, Times-7 Sport’s RFID timing solutions will provide the results for this years Canberra Tour. The Times-7 RFID Wheel Tag eliminates the need for manual timing. The new technology have been proven at National events throughout Australia and New Zealand and is capable of handling a large numbers of competitors and fast peloton finishes with close to 100% accuracy. All Riders will be provided a wheel tag for the duration of the Canberra Tour.

Diamond Cycle Tours is this years sponsor the King and Queen of the Mountain categories for the 2010 Canberra Tour. http://www.diamondcycletours.com/

Fully supported European Cycle Tours by Diamond Cycle Tour, you are supported all the way with accompanying guides and support vehicles. Visit the website to contact Rob Diamond.

Whether it is the French Alps, the rolling hills of Provence or the Dolomites in Italy Diamond Cycle Tours have the roads covered. The rides are designed by riders for riders. For that reason tour groups are strictly limited in number to ensure the best riding experience. They have chosen some of the most spectacular countryside that you can ride through in Europe. From the snow covered alps to the stony, lavender covered slopes of Provence there are rides guaranteed to please.

Transport

Air– Canberra Airport is serviced by connections from all capital cities. We now have direct links to Darwin (Qantas) and Hobart (Virgin). We note that some aircraft servicing Canberra have limited freight capacity for a large numbers of bikes. Alternately, Canberra is 2½ - 3 hours drive from Sydney Airport.

Road – Canberra is accessed from the Hume Highway – turn off at Yass approaching from south or west and at Goulburn approaching from the north.

Accommodation

Canberra has a broad range of accommodation options. For assistance contact:

Email: visitcanberra@act.gov.au or Accommodation inquiries Ph: 1300 554 114

Crowne Plaza, Canberra supporting the Canberra Tour

The Crowne Plaza Canberra has a special price for your overnight accommodation for this years Canberra Tour. Group rates are valid for booking from 30-Apr-2010 through 3-May-2010. Follow the link to the Crowne Plaza reservation web site, Click here. Please make your reservations as soon as possible. The rate is valid as long as the rooms available, up to and including 30-Apr-2010. Win a Crowne Plaza Canberra accommodation package for next years Canberra Tour, prize drawn during the final presentations on Sunday.

If you wish to extend your stay outside of these dates, you will need to book a separate reservation or contact the Crowne Plaza Canberra (02) 62478999. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Claudia Hepper, Crowne Plaza Canberra (02) 62478999 or groups@crowneplazacanberra.com.au

Spares Vehicle – If your support crew would like a closer look at the tour why not be a spares vehicle for your grade. We are after three vehicles per grade if you can help.

Friday 30^th April – registration at Tharwa Hall from 11.00am to 12.30pm for A grade Men and Women, racing starts at 1.00.

Saturday 1^st May – registration at Stromlo Forest Park (pavilion main deck area) from 7.30 am to 8 45am.

START – Tharwa Hall, Tharwa

FINISH – Namadgi National Park

COURSE – Naas Rd, Tidbinbilla Rd, Apollo Rd

Racing will start from 1.00 pm – This is draft information please check the published program for the race start times

Friday Road Race – Riders start from Tharwa Hall car park, for A grade men proceed to Naas Rd intersection, turn left continue towards Apollo Rd intersection and then return to Tharwa. (Womens A) Continue along Tidbinbilla Road to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, turn at T3 and return to Tharwa (caution 50kph in Tharwa) and head out along Naas Rd before turning right at Apollo Rd intersection and climbing to the Finish (caution cattle grid at park entrance).

START - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit.

FINISH - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit.

COURSE, MORNING - Uriarra Rd, Brindabella Rd, Cotter Rd Circuit.

Racing will start from 9.00 am – This is draft information please check the published program for the final race start times

Note – all riders to start from the Criterium circuit

Start – Mt Stromlo Rd for start of Time Trial

Finish - Mt Stromlo Rd for finish of Time Trial

Time Trial – Start in Mt Stromlo Rd, riders to leave at 30 secs, approx times, final start list be available on CCC website prior to weekend.

Details of Stage 3– Road Race and Criterium, Saturday PM – “IRON MIKE”

START - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit.

FINISH - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit.

COURSE, AFTERNOON - Uriarra Rd, Brindabella Rd, Cotter Rd Circuit. This is draft information please check the published program for the race start times

Grade	Start Time	Est. Finish	Dist. (km)	Course
Women’s A	12.35	3:15	91	SFP, U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1, U5, U6, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1 SFP
Men’s A	1:00	3:40	109	SFP, U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1 SFP
Men’s B	1:10	4:12	109	SFP, U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1 SFP
Men’s C	1:20	3:55	91	SFP, U1, U5, U6, U7, U8, U9, (M2) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1, U5, U6, U7, U6, U5 (M3) U1 SFP
Women’s C	1:25	1:55		Criterium 25 mins + 2 laps – Steve Hodge Criterium circuit.

Note – all riders to start and finish on the Criterium circuit.

Saturday Road Race – Riders start on Stromlo Forest Park criterium circuit and proceed to Uriarra Rd (neutralised U1), turn left at Uriarra Road, continue towards and descend into Uriarra Crossing (U5) (caution steep descent), after crossing turn left and head up the climb and continue to Uriarra Homestead (U7) (Women A, Men C turn on last lap), and continue along Brindabella Road, descend to Condor Creek (caution steep descent), continue to turn past Condor Ck to end of bitumen (U9), on return climb out of Condor Ck Hill (M2) and then return to Uriarra Crossing (caution steep descent) before climbing to (M3) and then onto Stromlo Forest Park. For grades completing two laps enter Criterium circuit and complete lap of criterium circuit, drinks available after the finish line as marked.

Women’s C Grade Criterium Course.

Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit – 1.2 klms per lap

Details of Stage 3–Time Trial, Saturday PM

Start – Mt Stromlo Rd for start of Time Trial

Finish - Mt Stromlo Rd for finish of Time Trial

Time Trial – Start in Mt Stromlo Rd, riders to leave at 30 secs, approx times, final start list be available on CCC website prior to weekend.

Grade	Start Time	Est. Finish	Dist. (km)	Course
Men’s D1	1.00 pm		3.5	Time Trial - Mt Stromlo, A to B
Men’s D2			3.5	Time Trial - Mt Stromlo, A to B
Men’s E			3.5	Time Trial - Mt Stromlo, A to B
Women’s B		4.00pm	3.5	Time Trial - Mt Stromlo, A to B

Details of Stage 3– Road Race, Sunday

Start - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit

Finish - Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit

Road Race - Uriarra Rd, Brindabella Rd, Paddys River, Tidbinbilla Rd and Corin Rd and return.

Racing will start from 9.00am. This is draft information please check the published program for the race start times.

Grade	Start Time	Est. Finish	Dist. (km)	Course
Women C	9.00 am	10.50 am	50	SFP, U1, U5, U6, U7, (M9) U8, U7, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men E	9.10 am	11.30 am	72	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Women B	9.15 am	11.45 am	72	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men D1	9.30 am	12.04 pm	85	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men D2	9.40 am	12.14 pm	85	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Women A	9.55 am	12.28 pm	85	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men C	10.00 am	12.35 pm	97	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P4, T1, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men B	10.15 am	1.49 pm	121	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P4, T1, (M8) T2, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP
Men A	10.30 am	2.10 pm	130	SFP, U1, U5, U6, C4, P1,(M7), P2, P3, P4, T1, (M8) T2, P4, P2, P1, C4, U6, U5 (M4) U1 SFP

Note –Riders may warm up on the lower half of the Criterium circuit.

Sunday Course – Riders start on Stromlo Forest Park criterium circuit and proceed to Uriarra Rd (neutralised U1), turn left at Uriarra Road, continue towards and descend into Uriarra Crossing (U5) (caution steep descent), after crossing turn left and head up the climb continue to Uriarra Homestead (U6) (Women C continue to Condor Ck U7) and turn left into Brindabella Road, descend Mt McDonald (caution steep descent), turn right at the intersection Brindabella Rd junction.. Riders continue along Paddys River Rd and climb Pierces Creek Hill (M7) (Men E and Women B turn), Men’s A will turn left at Discovery Dr and continue to the tracking station before returning to Paddy’s River Rd, continue past Tidbinbilla Reserve (Men D and Women A turn), past Corin Forest turn off to final turn point for Men A, B &C. On the return Men A & B will turn left at Corin Rd and climb to the Recreation Reserve (M8) on descending Corin (caution steep descent) riders will turn left (feed for A & B) and continue to Brindabella Rd Intersection, turn left and climb Mt McDonald (M6) then continue to Uriarra Homestead. At Uriarra Homestead turn right towards Uriarra Crossing, descend to the crossing and continue along Uriarra Rd and climb to KOM/QOM (M4) before heading to finish at Stromlo Forest Park.

CAUTION - all riders are to use extreme care on return route with tight blind curves on descents especially past Murray's Corner and down Corin Rd, be aware of oncoming traffic.

· NOTE – for those providing support to riders at feed stations, please use Point Hut Crossing road for access to Corin RD.