Port Lincoln Coast Race   

Port Lincoln is a city on the lower Eyre Peninsula in the Australian state of South Australia. It is the largest city in the West Coast region, and is located approximately 280 km as the crow flies from the State's capital city of Adelaide. The economy is based on the huge grain-handling facilities, canning and fish processing works, lambs, wool and beef, and tuna farming for the Japanese market. Home of Australia's largest co...

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Port Lincoln is a city on the lower Eyre Peninsula in the Australian state of South Australia. It is the largest city in the West Coast region, and is located approximately 280 km as the crow flies from the State's capital city of Adelaide. The economy is based on the huge grain-handling facilities, canning and fish processing works, lambs, wool and beef, and tuna farming for the Japanese market. Home of Australia's largest commercial fishing fleet, Port Lincoln now has a thriving aquaculture industry and claims to be the "Seafood Capital of Australia”.

The lack of a reliable surface water supply was a factor preventing Port Lincoln from being proclaimed the colony's capital city in the 1830s. Even as a small town, Port Lincoln outgrew its fresh water supplies and is now largely dependent on water drawn from groundwater basins in the south of the peninsula.

The 92km course around Port Lincoln experiences contrasting coastal landscapes, ranging from sheltered waters and beaches, to surf beaches and rugged oceanic coastline. Starting in the city centre, the course travels inland and north towards the Airport before returning to the city via the coast along the Lincoln Highway.

The whole route along the coast is very technical and will culminate in the closing stages as the peloton reaches the outskirts of town. Teams will jostle for position to protect their main sprinter, but the technical nature of the final kilometres means it is very easy to lose position amongst the hustle and bustle. The technical and demanding approach to the finish line has historically favoured the best sprinter in the field, however lesser sprinters with better positioning have been able to surprise the favourites on occassions.