UCI Road World Championships set to commence in Wollongong

Wollongong will host the biggest sporting event in its history commencing this weekend, with the world’s best cyclists heading to the NSW Illawarra region for the 2022 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships.

One of the biggest events on the international cycling calendar, the UCI World Championships will see more than 1,000 professional riders from 70 nations descend compete in 11 races in and around the city.

In addition to local crowds, thousands of people from around the world have also arrived to watch the races, with organisers expecting to see large crowds lining the streets during the event.

Wollongong 2022 Chief Executive, Stu Taggart said the UCI Road World Championships were part of the ‘Triple Crown’ of cycling, stating “the event sits alongside Tour de France and Giro d’Italia as the most important fixtures of the cycling calendar.

“We will see many of the world’s best riders racing on our streets right here in Wollongong, over the Sea Cliff Bridge and throughout the city, focused on the finish line which - for the first time in 101 years of the event - is just 80 metres from the beach.”

Commenting on the importance of the event to the region, and Australia as a whole, Wollongong 2022 Race Director, Scott Sunderland stated "many people have a perception that Australia is flat, open and all about the ocean - in Wollongong, there are all the elements that make road cycling dynamic and difficult, from the Mount Keira climb through the escarpment to the urban ascent up Mount Pleasant.

"We're going to see the riders really testing their strategic and athletic capabilities as they navigate the Wollongong City Circuit and Time Trial courses, which will be spectacular viewing for the on-ground crowds and broadcast viewers.

"If you think you know Wollongong and Australia, think again. The 2022 UCI Road World Championships will separate the challengers from the champions and put our coastal city on the map for fans worldwide."

For the duration of the event multiple roads from Helensburgh in the north to Unanderra in the south and Mount Keira in the west will be affected at various times, and there will be temporary closures.

The Mount and Kembla loop is expected to reopen progressively within 60 to 90 minutes after the peloton passes through.

The only other time Australia has hosted a road cycling world championship was in 2010 when the Victorian city of Geelong held the event.

The UCI Road World Championships is the first of a number of world cups that NSW will host in 2022, with the event to be followed by the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and then the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup.

The 2022 UCI Road World Championships is being held from 18th to 25th September with a Community Day on 17th September. More information is available online. 

Images: The UCI Road World Championships will take in the Illawarra's Sea Cliff Bridge (top), routes for race events (middle) and riders are racing to take home the coveted Rainbow Jersey (below). All images courtest of UCI.