Bikes roar to the GP

By Sarah Schwager
DESPITE the cold and the ever looming threat of a thunderstorm, locals turned up in their thousands to wave off the motorbike riders in Cranbourne on Saturday as they made their way to the MotoGP.
While not attracting as many riders as last year’s record breaking event, the MRA Cranbourne GP Run was declared a success, with nearly 4000 motorbikes roaring through High Street.
Many turned up at the last minute and soon the main street of Cranbourne was filled with bikes as far as the eye could see as the weather continued to hold off for the day.
And the fans could not contain their excitement as they cheered for two Aussie favourites.
Riders waved, tooted and gave the thumbs up as they passed under five times world motorbike champion Mick Doohan.
Grand Prix flags and Stoner banners also riddled the crowd as locals cheered for their Aussie favourite Casey Stoner, who ended up winning his first Australian Grand Prix.
It was the first time an Australian rider had won the Phillip Island GP since Mick Doohan in 1998.
MC at the event Casey deputy mayor Kevin Bradford was rapt to see so many people turn up for the event.
“A lot of motorbike riders go to Phillip Island then ride back, they don’t stay for the race,” Cr Bradford said. “It’s great to see so many people supporting this Cranbourne event.”
And people came from far and wide, with many of the country’s states and territories represented in the ride off.
Dave and Leonie Abbott came all the way from North Richmond on the outskirts of Sydney in New South Wales.
Mr Abbott said he had waited 10 years and nine months for his dream to finally come true and the pair rode all the way down to Cranbourne on their brand new Pantha trike, the eighth ever made.
The event was a whole family affair for the couple who met up with their two daughters to camp at Phillip Island.
The most excited person on the day was 14-year-old Emerald resident Dylan Calvert, who was not only awarded with a trip to the Gold Coast by the Make-A-Wish Foundation but also joined Mick Doohan in the cherry picker to wave off the riders.
The Emerald Secondary College student and motorbike racing enthusiast, who has cystic fybrosis, had his wish granted and he and his family could not have been more rapt as they then made their way to Phillip Island before jetting off to Queensland.
Doohan applauded the crowd, saying the Cranbourne event seemed to get bigger every year and put his tip in for Stoner to win the MotoGP, saying it was great to see three Aussies in the final.
The day then continued on in Cranbourne long after the last bike had made its way through the main street, with people lining up to pick their favourite motorbike in the People’s Choice awards, put on by Shearwaters Ulysses Club.
Locals also enjoyed the food tents and giveaways, which continued on into the early afternoon.
For information on the Shearwaters Ulysses Club call Genele on 0418318870.