IT won't be the 192 kilometres that renders your legs almost useless, it'll be the 3900 metres of elevation that does the most damage.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Within three years, the Oxley Highway between Port Macquarie and Walcha could become the stretch of road that challenges some of the world's best cyclists.
That's the long-term goal for Seaview Classic organiser Kurt Polock as he awaits final confirmation on the event poised to be born on October 26 this year.
It will be slightly different to the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic which is 228 kilometres in length and 3382 metres of climbing.
"It will be very enticing for really high quality riders six weeks out from the national championships," Polock said.
With Grafton to Inverell set to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2020, the Seaview Classic could trump it as being one of the most challenging single-stage road races in Australia.
"The overall plan is to turn the Seaview Classic into a world-class event," Polock said.
"Working with the stakeholders being the RMS, the NSW Police Force and local government will see this race come to life."
Polock has a history in the sport having been the former NSW Institute of Sport development manager.
"In years gone by, cycling in Australia has seen a decline in high-quality cycle races," he said.
It will be very enticing for really high quality riders six weeks out from the national championships.
- Kurt Polock
"We lost races like the Goulburn to Sydney which was near on 100 years old just because of insurance and because getting approval to use roads is so hard."
This year's event has been pencilled in as part of the NSW premiership calendar so the Polock admitted the overall plan this year is to get it up and running at a state level.
"By 2020 we'll be looking to get national road series status and several of the continental teams who currently race in Europe and Asia have shown an interest in coming to this race," he said.
"In 2021 we'd like to see it go to the UCI level which would see those pro-continental teams which is a tier down from the world tour come and race the event prior to the world championships which are going to be held in Wollongong in 2022."
It was unknown which riders would be available to take part in the race this year once it received the final approval.
But Polock was hopeful a few familiar faces would put their hand up.
"Liam Magennis has indicated he'd like to have a go at it and Deborah Hennessey does quite well in these longer races and is capable of doing well considering her results in Grafton to Inverell," he said.
While the event would be a major sporting coup for the region, Polock said it would also have a massive economic impact.
It will be up to $5 million annually as the event grows and there are plans for the future to add to the event.
- Kurt Polock
"These events bring dollars to the town which in turn keeps people in jobs and keeps the economy turning," he said.
"It will be up to $5 million annually as the event grows and there are plans for the future to add to the event.
"First step is perfecting the Seaview Classic and getting it right to make it world class."
The NSW government's Towards Zero advertising campaign has also accepted to become partners with the race.
"We're planning on working with some of the road safety campaigns to reduce the mortality rate on the Oxley Highway which has a very high mortality rate," Polock said.
"Everyone on the road should be able to go out and expect to come home safely at the end of the day."
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.