Cycle shop helps with elite squad training

An Ettalong bike shop has collaborated with the training of one of Australia's elite cycling teams.

Trainer Scott Sunderland said he looked no further than his old training partner Matt Gracie and his team at Ride Ettalong to help out with a training camp for the Cellarbrations Race Team Elite and Development Squads.

Held on the weekend of February 9 and 10, it was the Central Coast's first training camp for Australia's newest elite cycling team.

Gracie has over 20 years of experience in bike mechanics, including Shimano's head mechanic for the Sydney Olympics, Tour Down Under and the Mountain Bike World Championships.

He directed the group on some of the Central Coast's most scenic roads from Ettalong to Patonga, Avoca and West Gosford, culminating in arguably the Central Coast's toughest hill, Kingsview Dr, Umina.

"To work with someone of Scott's calibre and world-class experience and to be able to show the Cellarbrations Race Team the best of what the Central Coast has to offer, was fantastic," said Gracie.

Media Release, 12 Feb 2013

Matt Gracie, Ettalong Ride

Photo: Ainsley Martlew