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Ballarat aims to become the "mecca" for cycling in January each year |
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Ballarat City Council has secured a deal which will see the city host the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships for the next six years.
The new agreement is between Council, Cycling Australia and the event promoter Caribou Publications.
Under the agreement the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships will for the first time combine all three national road disciplines - the Time Trial, Road Race and the Criterium as part of the championship series.
The economic impact of the event is anticipated to be in excess of $4
million each year, representing an injection of approximately $24
million into the Ballarat economy over the life of the six year
contract.
Ballarat Mayor Cr Judy Verlin said she was thrilled Ballarat had retained the nationally significant cycling event.
“Cycling Australia’s decision to keep the Australian Open Road Championships in Ballarat is further reinforcement of Ballarat’s capacity to host premier cycling events.
“Council has worked tremendously hard to cement its place as the home of Australian Road Cycling and I am delighted we will have the opportunity to continue to host the event and showcase our great city to the nation for the next six years.”
"The inclusion of the criterium is a huge coup for the city. The event now boasts all three road race disciplines giving spectators the chance to witness a diverse program of road cycling at an elite level."
The Cycling Promotion Fund hopes that the organisers and the council will include a participation event as part of the Australian Open Road Cycling Championship to inspire people not only to watch elite cyclists, but also to get on their bikes and achieve a personal challenge and boost spectator numbers at the same time.
- Click here to go to the Australian Open Road Cycling Championships website.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 22 June 2009 )
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CPF News