Dunlop Grand Prix

Dunlop Grand Prix
Each stage and town of the route
General
Held	20–27 October 1927
Country	Australia
Region	Victoria
Type	stage race
Distance	1,102 miles (1,773 km)
Winners
Winner	Hubert Opperman, Vic
Sealed Handicap	W Rennie, Vic
Teams Champion	New Zealand

The Dunlop Grand Prix was, in 1927, the biggest cycling race in the British Empire and the richest race in the world. It was organised by the Dunlop Rubber Company which had a long history of organising bicycle races, including the Warrnambool to Melbourne, Colac to Melbourne and Goulburn to Sydney. As a result of the Dunlop Grand Prix, the Warrnambool was not held in 1927 however the Colac and Goulburn races were.

The race was held in four stages from the 14–19 November 1927, with two rest days, covering 690 miles (1,110 km) and a description of the race was broadcast on radio station 3LO. At that time the title of Long Distance Road Champion of Australasia was awarded to the fastest time in the Warrnambool and for 1927 the title was awarded to the fastest time in the Dunlop Grand Prix. There was a dispute between the League of Victorian Wheelmen and Melbourne Carnivals Ltd which threatened the participation of a number of cyclists, including Hubert Opperman. The dispute however was resolved a month before the event.

The featured riders, in addition to Opperman were Percy Osborn, Jack Beasley, then holder of the 100 miles (160 km) world’s record, H Moody, NSW and Harry Watson from New Zealand. Also competing were the winners of the Warrnambool from 1926, Les Einsiedel, 1925 EE Williamson, and 1924 winner WF King his father, 47-year-old WA "Buffer" King. The fastest riders from the Goulburn to Sydney were also competing, with Ken Ross from 1926 and RJ Cruise from 1925. The riders started together on the first 3 stages however on the final stage the riders left according to their accumulated time gains. In addition to the time prize, there was also a sealed handicap and a teams championship for interstate and country riders.

The late 20s and early 30s were an era of transition in relation to bicycle equipment and race conditions. Areas of controversy were the use of variable gears and two sprocket wheels,single tyres, the use of butterfly or wing nuts and the provision of outside assistance. The Dunlop Grand Prix permitted variable gears but prohibited butterfly or wing nuts and singles. The riders were required to repair their own bikes during the stage, were not able to change bicycles unless it was bona fide damaged and no spare parts or other assistance were permitted. Similarly the riders were not permitted to accept food or drink other than from officials at feeding stations or procured by rider from established store, hotel or refreshment room.