The Squadron Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic
Over 60 years strong and held in northern New South Wales is considered one of the toughest races on the Australian road race calendar.
Grafton To Inverell History
1961 - Grafton to Inverell route
Inverell resident Harold Strahley (1908-1979) conceived of the first Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic. His nephew, Don Strahley, was the 1970 winner.
Distance - 228km
Climbing - 3382m
Alan Grindal was the winner of the inaugural race
1977 - Remarkable show of bravery
Don Nutley rode the race with an artificial limb (he lost his left leg at age 18 after it had been crushed by a truck in a 1976 race fall). Could this be the first example of an amputee cyclist in Australian road racing?
1979 - Mass start format!
They were almost vilified for making this decision. But they had a vision - the vision was that this race should be run on the same basis as the European races; and their dream was realised in as much as it has become the number one, the hardest one-day race in Australia.
1980 - Huge growth...
The 1980's saw the race go truly International with teams representing numerous countries competing in the Grafton, and then continuing on to the Commonwealth Bank East Coast race.
The race was won by riders from New Zealand, Italy, Norway, Great Britain and the USA. In 1985 Paul Curran of Great Britain set a new record of 6 hours and 49 seconds (only broken in 2011 by 28 seconds) and the following year he won two gold medals including the road race at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh
2017 - Des Femmes...
The addition of two new categories to increase the participation opportunities for riders. The Regional Australia Bank Grafton to Inverell des Femmes providing an opportunity for the women to have their own race category within the Division 3 race and the ‘Challenge’ category enabling ‘non-racing’ riders to also be part of the action
Introduction of the Ian ‘Bluey’ Manton Award - The legendary IAN ‘BLUEY’ MANTON was known for riding the ‘great race’ 24 times from the 1960’s with a 6thplacing in 1973. To commemorate the achievements of this ‘true gentleman’ an award in his honour will be presented to the first Inverell rider to complete the Grafton to Inverell Support race.
2021 – 60th anniversary
First Women’s NRS race from Gibraltar to Inverell – won by Ruby Roseman-Gannon (VIC)
2023 – bridgelane women's clean sweep!
Women’s NRS race takes on the Gibraltar Range climb with a testing course from Grafton to Mt Mitchell – won by Mia Hayden (QLD) with a Team BridgeLane clean sweep of the podium
2025 – Grafton To Inverell X ProVelo Super League
Grafton To Inverell becomes part of the ProVelo Super League
