Tour of Brunswick to Bright

Members of the Brunswick Club past and present, were everywhere you looked in Bright, for Australia's largest three stage tour. Twenty members of the club, 16 men and 4 women, rode across the grades, with 5 top 10 performances, including Luke Plapp's hat-trick and a few more made cameo appearances in the crit and supporting roles. There's a full run down in the chart below.

Matt Keenan and Tom McQuillain kicked things off as they entertained us with their commentary at the Friday night crit.  Tom kicked on as MC over the three stages providing informed commentary about the who's who of the Australian cycling scene, fron emerging young talent, struggling age groupers, to wily old professionals, who are still riding strongly.

A balmy Friday evening saw huge numbers of riders and spectators turn out for the street circuit criteriums, with Tom Butler and Pat Drapac making the trip up to race in a high quality field that included Jayco AlUla team mates Kell O'Brien and Luke Plapp.

Aside from elite performances, there was one that would have flown under the radar of most and this post is going to lift the lid on Che Dungey and his Tour De Desi.  Che is well known for riding to events and tells me that he is training for the "Warrny". Let's hear from Che in his own words.

Che Dungey - spreading peace vibes

As a soy latte drinking, car-free pinko from the inner north of Melb, I believe there’s a certain honour in riding out to races. Feels weird to drive a car to go for a bike ride you know? I’ve been riding out and back from Northern Combine races this year so figured why not Tour of Bright? Cam McFarlane got wind and quipped “oh you’re doing Tour De Desi? – good stuff” 

I knew there was no chance of picking up any prize money from the race against the climbing whippets, but with my commute heading out bush around the high country, we hoped for a chance sighting of Victoria’s most wanted fugitive, Desi Freeman for a big cash reward. Riding out also gave me excuse in case I came last overall in GC. 

I conscripted my friend Frog as a mechanic/soigneur/pacer/bodyguard for little two-day jaunt out bush on a few spicy tracks road bikes have no business being on. I was basically on my hands and knees for the entire ride out with multiple flats and sidewall cuts wearing us down. I was smart enough to bring a spare tyre and sealant which kept us going for a bit, but I ended up riding a flat the last 2km into Bright and walking the last few hundred metres. 

I ended up missing Stage 1, so just vibed Stage 2 and 3 and had a great time. I ended up changing goals for the race to see how many peace signs I could give to the photographers while everyone around me was fighting for their life. I also made an effort to throw a lot of waves to people riding out to the TT, and scowls for the cowards who drove there! For Shame! Overall, I’d say the commute was harder than the race, but we did take it easy on ourselves and just did the rail trail to Wang for the V/line back to town. Only had 2 flats along the way as well! No sightings of the bad man all weekend, not that we’d able to put up much of a fight.

Che racked up an impressive 540km and 6706m of climbing over four days in a performance that most likely eclipsed any other rider at the Tour of Bright. 

Tour De Desi Stage 1 - Brunswick to Alexandra
152km & 2280m

Tour De Desi Stage 2 - Alexandra to Bright
205km & 2362m

Tour De Desi Stage 2.5 - Buckland Valley ITT
41km & 261m

Tour De Desi Stage 3 - Bright - Mt Buffalo - Wangaratta
142km & 1803m

This was a truly a millian dollar performance by Che and his mate Froggy, so when you spot him out on the road or at the velodrome, be sure to share the peace vibes with him. I'm sure that if Che had of come face to face with Desi Freeman on a tour named in his honour, Che's peace vibes would have won him over.  Finally, Che if you do make it to the Warrny on the 14th February 2026, it's okay to ask for a lift or to catch the the train home.

Che with Brunx Masters 6+ riders Michael & Fergus

BCC Members & GC Placing







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