The New England region has once again produced another Australian cycling representative.
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Walcha cyclist Ayllie Allen has been selected to ride for Australia at the 2017 Gran Fondo Masters World Championships in Albi, France, situated 85 kilometres north-east of Toulouse.
She has cycled overseas before but the French race will be the highest level she has competed at.
There are 61 competitors in Ayllie’s age group, including nine Australians who will travel 97 kilometres through undulating terrain, climbing 1000 metres before they finish.
The race commences from the heart of the episcopal city on the square in the shadows of the illustrious cathedral Saint Cecile, which took 198 years to build.
From then on, the international field will pass along the river Tarn, explore the vineyards Gaillacois before heading to the heights of Gresigne.
The cyclists then greet the walls of Cordes before joining the circuit of Albi host for decades of sporting and popular events in the Albigeois.
To make Australian selection, Ayllie rode in two qualifying events in Amy’s Gran Fondo along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria and then from Blayney to Bathurst where she finished fifth, which clinched a position on the team.
Ayllie leaves Australia this Saturday before competing in the Albi UCI World Race Championships on August 27. She will be staying on after the race to enjoy the sights of Europe.