The 2019 edition of the Dangarsleigh Bianche, the now well-established first classic in the Armidale Cycling Club race calendar is upon us. This year, we have a full complement of gravel sectors including the brutal Forest D’Angersleigh sector on Dangars Falls Road, and the infamous Hors Category assault of Knobs Hill, guaranteed to shake things up before the race reaches its climax on the Piazza del Kingdom Hall.

This is a club race, open to anyone with a valid Cycling Australia road race licence and as always we welcome entries from other local clubs. As before we can allow bikes with disc brakes so CX and MTB bikes are welcome. This year we return to a handicap format, and the commissaires have indicated that generous handicaps await those who roll up on MTB, retro, and novelty bikes.

The race starts at the usual time of 2.30pm on Saturday 27th April, leaving from the Dangarsleigh Road location on the edge of town. From there riders race out on sealed roads to the Dangarsleigh Monument where they turn left and embark on the first 5 star gravel sector. They rejoin Enmore road via Black Lane, travel up to the 15km turn and then track back around 3km, before making a hard left into the other side of Black Lane for Sector 2. From there it’s briefly back onto Dangarsleigh Rd for another 2.5km, then left again, this time into Knobs Rd and Sector 3 before finally emerging back onto Dangarsleigh Rd for the last 2km sprint home.

All up there is 34km of racing with three gravel sectors totaling 14km. The last of these (Knobs Hill) is a great spot for spectators if you want a first-hand view of the action. The race will be on whatever the weather!

In case you need any further incentive to compete, the impressively heavy 5kg trophy, engraved with prior winners (Harrison Munday 2015, Dave Jenner 2016, Jo Wauch 2017, and Andrew Kirk 2018) will be awarded to the victor on the day.

Finally, just as in the real Strade Bianche, a rider who successfully wins three titles will have a sector named after them in perpetuity. So put on some sturdy (and preferably wide) tires (don’t forget a spare tube!) and we’ll see you on Saturday for this special event!!