O’GRADY PLANS TO OPEN CYCLE ‘HUB’ IN ADELAIDE
STUART O’Grady has revealed plans to open a “cycling hub” in the Adelaide parklands.
In his first major project since the doping confession which ended his cycling career in July last year, O’Grady has gone into business with former AFL footballer Nathan Eagleton to open the “Velo Precinct” in the Victoria Park grandstand.
Vic Park currently hosts club and state-level criterium races and is also the site for the annual V8 Supercar Clipsal 500.
But O’Grady and Eagleton — who played 277 AFL games with Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs — hope to have a cycling centre and cafe open by next year’s Tour Down Under.
The centre would run daily spin classes and those who are really keen can bring their bikes in to ride stationary ergo trainers for more specific training. There are also plans to incorporate an outdoor cinema and other entertainment during summer.
“It’s an incredible location with an existing cycling track in front,” O’Grady said.
“The council are really trying to make it a vibrant area … and hopefully we can help out by providing a healthy lifestyle and nice community feel.
“(Office workers) just want to get out there, do a really good one-hour session and get home to be with the kids so whether that’s before or after work hopefully we can keep them nice and fit.”
Eagleton, who retired from AFL football in 2010, said the project would help rejuvenate the parklands and make good use of the grandstand.
“The city is flooded with cyclists most weekends and we can bring them to a hub for cycling with spin classes during the week morning and night,” he said.