Pedal prix brings teenagers together and benefits to the Murraylands

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Thousands have descended on Murray Bridge’s Sturt Reserve for one of the crowning events on the city’s calendar: the Australian International Pedal Prix.

Riders, crew members and families pitched their tents in the lead-up to the weekend’s race, and before them came the contractors setting up barriers, food trucks and other services – many of them local.

Australian HPV Super Series CEO Marcus Lacey said local organisations like JB Hire, Jet Trucking and the city’s two Rotary Clubs were critical to the event’s success, as were the Murray Bridge council and other sponsors.

The pedal prix series was equally happy to coordinate with organisations like the Murray Bridge Show society, he said.

The lights used at the pedal prix will illuminate the showground this Saturday night.

“I think it’s really important (to make community connections),” Mr Lacey said.

“(The pedal prix) is great for the council, because their support is aimed at generating economic activity, and we want to play that role, with benefits flowing back to the community.”

Crowds massed around the track and filled the grid during the countdown to the race start at midday on Saturday, and Murray Bridge Mayor Wayne Thorley waved the Australian flag to get things started.

Then it was on for young and old: 24 hours of high speed, aching muscles and exhaustion, with a chequered flag waiting at the end.

Mannum team faces the end of an era

The weekend was full of emotion for Mannum Community College’s team, in particular, as four graduating students participated in their last pedal prix event.

All four had been involved since year 6, seven years ago.

Team coordinator Lena DeLurant said getting a team together and getting it through the four South Australian races in a season was always a challenge, but worthwhile.

“We’ve got some amazing volunteers that pull together and get it done,” she said.

“The kids have really stepped up and helped with pit changes, too – you see them growing and helping keep the team going.”

The team’s two trikes had fresh, fruity paint jobs this year, and new names: Lemon and Lime.

Also in new colours were Murray Bridge High School’s two vehicles, Aftermath and Aftershock.

The pink-and-grey design was created by a student, Alyssa.

Spokeswoman Makaylah Cooper said the results on the track had not been quite as strong for the team this season, “but the team spirit this year is the best it has ever been”.

“Everyone has been happy to be here and be around their friends,” she said.

Unity College had the biggest local contingent, with four vehicles entered in the feature race.

Among them was an all-female team, Minnie Mouse, which finished third among those in its category, and second overall for the season.

Rider Abby Sanders also qualified for the Schools Shootout, and was the second fastest girl in that event.

Who won what?

Overall line honours in the race went to G Trikes, an adult team, whose vehicle Matrix Carbon Pro completed 673 laps of the Sturt Reserve track over the 24 hours.

The fastest lap was completed by another community team, Unhinged, in just over 1:49, with a top speed of 56 kilometres per hour.

Among the locals, Unity College’s Bunyip team took inter-school bragging rights:

• Bunyip (Unity College): 475 laps, 62^nd overall / 22^nd in S3
• Aftermath (Murray Bridge High School): 462 laps, 72^nd overall / 25^th in S3
• Minnie Mouse (Unity College): 450 laps, 78^th overall / 29^th in S3
• Road Runner (Unity College): 411 laps, 101^st overall / 17^th in S2
• Lime (Mannum Community College): 384 laps, 118^th overall / 41^st in S3
• Sylvester (Unity College): 365 laps, 129^th overall / 45^th in S3
• Aftershock (Murray Bridge High School): 365 laps, 130^th overall / 46^th in S3
• Lemon (Mannum Community College): 230 laps, 155^th overall / 35^th in S2

Murray Bridge North School was not among the 10 primary school teams to qualify for this year’s event.

The off season will now begin for pedal prix teams ahead of a rebranded competition, simply called Pedal Prix Racing, in 2026.