SHOWCASE: WIN TV’s Cameron Best and Herald/Sun Bike Tour competitor David McKenzie in action in Healesville last week.By KATH GANNAWAY
THE attractions of the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and Marysville will feature in a WIN TV special promoting the Herald/Sun Bike Tour.
The halfhour program, Leading the Tour, is a mix of team tactics, course logistics and local attractions along the way.
It will screen on WIN TV’s regional network throughout Australia to a potential audience of five million viewers
The program tracks WIN TV sports presenter, Cameron Best, and veteran of 10 Herald/Sun tours, David McKenzie, as they ride the 700kilometre course.
Stage Five of the race is a 140.9km tour of the Yarra Valley starting and finishing in Healesville on Thursday, 13 October.
It includes The Gran Fondo, giving all riders a chance to be a part of the Tour. The next day, stage six, is an 11 kilometre time trial from Monbulk to the Sky High Restaurant on Mt Dandenong.
Assistant producer of Leading the Tour, Susan Cowie, said the program would capture the different themes of the various regions on the route which include Bendigo, Lygon Street, Seymour and, locally, Marysville, Healesville, Toolangi and Mt Dandenong.
Mr McKenzie said as a rider he was looking forward to competing in October.
“I’ve trained extensively in the Healesville area. It’s a beautiful area and the tour is a great opportunity to promote it,” he said.
“It’s part and parcel of a bike race beautiful scenery, good food and good wine from the different regions.
“You only have to look at the Tour De France to see that part of it’s about the bike race and part of it is about promoting tourism. The program goes to air on Saturday, 8 October at 5.30pm.
