CQU has continued its association as naming-rights sponsor for Queensland's biggest track cycling carnival, the Rockhampton Cup on Wheels.

The association started in 2004 in conjunction with an emerging talent identification relationship forged between CQU's School of Health and Human Performance and event host, the Rockhampton Cycling Club. This relationship created a range of research and learning opportunities for students and staff.

The University is once again working with the Club to explore ways for students to be involved and to gain experience from the initiative.

Rockhampton Cycling Club's Brett Ruff (left) with CQU's Suzi Blair and Dr Peter Reaburn. PHOTO by Tamara Mackenzie courtesy 'The Morning Bulletin'

The Central Queensland University Rockhampton Cup of Wheels will feature at Kenrick Tucker Velodrome on November 9 and 10.

CQU School of Health and Human Performance Associate Professor Peter Reaburn told The Morning Bulletin the Cup on Wheels was arguably Rockhampton's premier sporting event.

Dr Reaburn said his School's relationship with cycling had already generated a PhD thesis and a Masters thesis.

Research into cycling performance (in cooperation with Club members) put CQU's Ben Dascombe within a point of winning the 'Young Investigator of the Year' Award at a peak industry conference last year. Ben has since graduated with his PhD.

"Our School was involved with the 2003 Talent ID program - involving the Cycling Club, Cycling Australia, Cycling Queensland and the Department of Sport and Recreation - that has since produced one Australian junior champion and numerous state junior champions," Dr Reaburn said.

"The success of that program has seen us become involved with the only regionally-based Talent ID program in Australia for 2007 - again with Rockhampton Cycling Club - where we have created a joint CQU-industry scholarship with Masters student, Morwenna Kirwan."

The Club has previously held a Bike Chicks Development Program at CQU and has provided cyclists for research into the performance benefits of compression tights.

In 2005, CQU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Rickard welcomed Olympic champion cyclist Anna Meares as an ambassador for the University, following her enrolment with the University.

CQU Development Manager Suzi Blair said the sponsorship was a great way for the University to advance local opportunity and achievement through a prominent community event which was also ripe for student and staff involvement and attendance.

"Rocky is synonymous with cycling and is also known as an educational centre, so the links between University and Cycling Club help to build on those associations, while also supporting our region's elite athletes," Ms Blair said.

CQU researcher Morwenna Kirwan with Rockhampton Cycling Club member Pippa Hindmarsh