Autumn Cycling Classic returns to La Trobe

One of the largest cycling events in Australia, the Autumn Cycling Classic is hosted by the Northern Combine (via the Brunswick Cycling Club) in partnership with La Trobe University.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 15 May and will host hundreds of elite, junior and recreational riders at La Trobe University’s scenic three-kilometre-long Ring Road course.

After highly successful events in 2018 and 2019 the event was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Brunswick Cycling Club President Tony Maughan said plans were in place to make the 2021 Autumn Cycling Classic the best edition yet.

“In a few short years, the Autumn Cycling Classic has become a signature event on the Northern Combine calendar and in 2021 it’s back bigger and better,” Maughan said.

“We are excited to once again host a road race which is ideally located, accessible to all parts of Melbourne and with closed roads.

“With the scenic course, fully closed roads and great food and coffee facilities at La Trobe, the event village atmosphere provides a glowing example of how to integrate cycling into the city.”

In addition to the Northern Combine's standard race offerings, a number of exciting new initiatives will be introduced to the 2021 event. This will include a revamp of the traditional Autumn Cycling Classic course and the introduction of a new BMX component.

“The Ring Road course has been reversed to add exciting new challenges while maintaining a safe, traffic-free environment,” Maughan said.

“This fantastic course enables us to attract more riders and therefore host more grades of racing; meaning all riders, from novices to elite, juniors and seniors will have a race to suit them.

“Also don’t forget to make room in the car for your BMX so you can take on the BMX Challenge as well.  We’ll also run the inaugural ‘BMX vs Road Bike Sprint Championship’ for bragging rights as part of the event.”

The Autumn Cycling Classic reflects La Trobe’s commitment to hosting events that promote physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing opportunities for the local community to enjoy the world class sport and recreation facilities on the picturesque Bundoora Campus.

“We are fortunate to have La Trobe University as our local host who supports cycling and community involvement,” Maughan said.

“The Brunswick, Preston and Hawthorn Cycling Clubs are leading the event headed by race director Alison Skene, and we welcome a new partner this year in the Northern BMX Club. This year will be a celebration all things cycling.

“The Brunswick Cycling Club has a very strong relationship with La Trobe University. Many of our members are associated with the University and it is a true partnership that grows each year.”

For any of the La Trobe University community wishing to participate in the Autumn Cycling Classic, they can register for the event by clicking here. New riders will be placed into E Grade (which will be marshalled and guided), and La Trobe students can access a discount by entering the code LATROBE at the registration checkout.

To view the course map for the 2021 Autumn Cycling Classic, click here.

Please note, due to the event there will be road closures between 7:00am-2:00pm. This will include the closure of the COVID-19 testing site in Car Park 7 and the Thomas Cherry Building/Science Drive bus stop between these times. More details on the changed traffic conditions at the Bundoora Campus for Saturday 15 May can be found in the table below.