2010 Road Worlds' course to suit local heroes

Wednesday, 27 May 2009

Victorian Premier John Brumby says Victoria will be in the international spotlight when the world's best cyclists converge on Melbourne and Geelong for the 2010 UCI Road World Championships.

"More than 1200 riders from 60 countries will contest the five-day championships," said Mr Brumby at the official launch of the event at Federation Square in Melbourne.

Champion Australian cyclist and Barwon Heads local, Cadel Evans, said he was looking forward to competing in Melbourne and Geelong next year.

“It’s great to have a top-level bike race in Australia and particularly for me to have it in Geelong,” Mr Evans said.

“The course is suited to the all-round strengths of the Australian team maybe more than any of the other countries. It’s one of the best courses there has been for an Australian team since Zolder in 2002.

“There should be a great ambience on the course with a big crowd and I know there will be heaps of Europeans coming to Australia for it.”

Cycling Australia President, Mike Victor OAM sees hosting the UCI Road World Championships as a crowning achievement for Australian cycling.

“Australia has previously hosted the track, mountain bike and BMX world championships, and this year will again host the mountain bike and BMX worlds. Hosting this blue riband event shows how much confidence the UCI has in our ability to organise a world class event,” Mr Victor said.

“It also recognises the extraordinary growth of the sport in Australia and is a fitting reward for our road cyclists whose international performances have moved Australia into the top three ranked nations in the world.

“Cycling Australia is extremely grateful for the support of the Victorian Government in the growth of cycling and we look forward to witnessing the world's best road cyclists in action.”

“The Victorian Government is taking action to attract sporting events that boost Melbourne’s international status as a major events capital, drive jobs, investment and grow tourism,” Mr Brumby said.

“The UCI Road World Championships stand at the pinnacle of the world cycling calendar, ranking alongside the Tour de France as one of the most coveted prizes in cycling.

“Next year’s race is a major coup for Victoria – it is only the sixth time the race has been hosted outside Europe and will shine an international spotlight on our state, with an expected global television audience of 400 million.”

Mr Brumby said the UCI Road World Championships, held from 29 September to 3 October, would include road races and individual time trials for elite men and women and under-23 men.

“Starting at Federation Square, the race will showcase iconic parts of Melbourne before completing 11 laps of the circuit around the streets of the Geelong region,” he said.

Sports Minister James Merlino said securing the UCI Road World Championships was a major coup for Victoria and another highlight on Victoria’s major sporting calendar.

“The Brumby Government is taking action to continue building on Victoria’s status as a major events capital with the UCI Road World Championships joining a suite of great cycling events to have been hosted by our state,” Mr Merlino said.

“It builds on the success of cycling events such as the 2004 UCI Track World Championships, the 2002 UCI Juniors Track World Championships, and the annual Jayco Herald Sun Tour and Around the Bay in a Day.”