The town will host almost 1000 visitors for the NSW Masters road race, which is part of three days of racing in the region, with a criterium (Sunday) and a time trial (Monday) to be staged in Orange.

Thirteen cyclists from Orange will be among the 450 competitors including Gina Browne, who said the event was a huge drawcard for cycling in the area.

“The event will build on the increasing popularity of all types of cycling in the Orange district such as mountain biking, BMX, road cycling and recreational and casual cycling undertaken by families, kids, mums and dads,” she said.

“Particularly with the Active Travel Plan happening at the moment, events like this raise the profile of cycling.

“People are coming from all over the state so it won’t just put cycling on the map but Orange itself with all its beauty and amenities.”

Ms Browne also said the visitors converging  on Molong and Orange were likely to give local businesses an economic boost.

Cabonne Council allocated $5000 from its Events Assistance Program to help promote the championships, which mayor Ian Gosper believes will prove an excellent investment.

“With the event to be held in the region for the next three years, the economic benefits for Molong and Cabonne Shire will be considerable,” Cr Gosper said.

“The races should be a great spectacle so I urge people to get along to Molong on Saturday to witness top-class cycling and appreciate the skill and fitness of the competitors.”

The road race will be held in age categories for men and women over varying distances of a 28-kilometre course that starts near the town’s village green and proceeds along Packham Drive and Garra Road before returning to town via Banjo Paterson Way.

The road race will start at 8am.

bryson.ferreira@fairfaxmedia.com.au