This year’s 228 kilometre event will be held on Saturday, October 25, and race committee president, Dan Wilks, informed those gathered that changes to this year’s line-up were being negotiated with police and the Roads and Maritime Department. 

Last year, the B and C grades were combined into one start, and steps are being taken to reinstate the divided start for those two grades. Next Thursday committee representatives will be attend a stakeholders meeting in Grafton to negotiate that particular change.

Wilks said in his opinion those changes had to be made.

“I’m a B grade rider and there’s always going to be 10 or so riders in C grade who’ll go over the top of the mountain with the front B grade bunch.

“So I think it gives more of a level playing field for each grade. Each grade can climb the hill themselves and after that the race is on.”

Wilks said he sees the race as the major event of the year at Inverell, and would like to see the town get behind it more. 

He praised the time and effort put in by the 200-odd volunteers needed every year to make the race happen.

Mayor Paul Harmon labelled it iconic. 

“It’s on the National Road Cycling program so that’s really lifted the profile of the race,” Harmon said.

“The Jack Griffith Memorial Shield was presented for the very first time last year after the sad passing of Jack, one of the race cofounders, earlier in the year.

“If you’re a cyclist anywhere in Australia than you know about the Grafton to Inverell Cycle Race.”