CYCLISTS will be chasing one of the most sought-after victories on the cycling calendar when the Frank McCaig Memorial Wheelrace is contested in Bendigo on Thursday night.
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The pace will be on from the gun as riders race the 1600m distance at the Tom Flood Sports Centre in Barnard Street.
There will be a prize pool of $1000 up for grabs in the classic.
One of cycling's biggest names, Frank McCaig had a dramatic impact on and off the bike.
Teams controller and promoter of the Bendigo International Madison for more than 20 years, Frank McCaig was a "gun" cyclist throughout the 1960s and early 70s.
He was the first Bendigo cyclist to win the Golden Mile Wheelrace in 1963 and the first triple winner of the classic.
Frank McCaig was the first dual winner of the Bendigo Advertiser Sports Star of the Year, 1965-66 and '67-68, and was inducted to the Sports Star Hall of Fame in 2006.
He also played a key role in the Herald-Sun Tour for many years, and at road classics across Victoria.
Links of the McCaig family to cycling are still strong.
Frank's eldest son, Rik is chief executive officer of the Bendigo International Madison and also handicapper for Bendigo's junior racing.
Rik's second-eldest son, Toby is racing.
Another star on the rise is Alessia McCaig, grand-niece of Frank, and grand-daughter of Alan.
Other riders to watch in the main event include Isaac Buckell, Jade Maddern, Todd Schintler, Braeden Dean, Jackson Hadden, Josh Clarke, Patrick Eddy, Harrison Morley and Harrison Knight.
Other feature events on Thursday's track program are the Alf Norris Memorial Wheelraces for juniors, and the DCK-backed Crystal Classic Wheelrace for women.
Alf's son Laurie has also been a prominent figure in Cycling Victoria for many years and will be trackside to present the awards.
Junior racing starts at 6.30pm and the first of the senior events is at 7.30pm.
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