IT'S a stage which helped nurture his love for cycling, and supercross star Troy Herfoss is hopeful racing in Wagga will again yield success at this weekend's Tolland Open.
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The 33-year-old, who has won three of the past five Australian Supercross Championships, took out the Wagga Cycling Classic in 2015.
With supercross testing and practice on the agenda at his home town of Goulburn next week, Herfoss will take the chance to satisfy his other sporting love.
"At places like Wagga and Cootamundra there's good handicap racing, and that's where I found my love for riding the bike," Herfoss said.
"Everyone then goes out for a beer and a good time afterward. It's a relaxed atmosphere, but everyone races really hard. That's what I enjoy about it the most.
"The next round (of the Australian Supercross Championship) is in my home town Goulburn in a few weeks. I've got testing there next week, so I thought it was a good chance to sneak an open handicap in."
Herfoss uses cycling as an outlet and a way of staying fit for supercross, where he is looking to go one better after being edged out by Michael Jones for last year's championship on the final corner of the last race.
"It (cycling) just keeps you fit and lean, keeps the weight off for supercross. And it's low impact, your bones don't get too much of an impact like running or the gym," he said.
"I think my only state handicap win was at Wagga, I'd love if the scratch riders could catch the bunch.
"There's a lot of luck involved in a cycling finish, but if I can get up there and be in with a chance to win that'd be great."
The Tolland Open is one of the biggest handicap races in the state. It offers prizemoney of $16,000, with $1000 to the men's and women's winners, with over 250 riders to race over the two days.
Todd Chester, Angus Calder and former winner Neil Van der Ploeg are also expected to be contenders.
"It's our best numbers in recent years," Tolland Cycling Club president Will Silver said.
"Our biggest thing is giving back to the riders. It costs money to enter these events and if they can win a bit of cash it keeps them coming back."
Riders will tackle a 90km handicap on Saturday and a 72km handicap on Sunday.
For course maps and race times visit https://entryboss.cc/races/4657.
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