The Australian Cycling Road National Championships will return to Ballarat on January 4 to kick-start five days of top level cycling the country has to offer.
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The championships bring a fantastic opportunity for Ballarat to host an iconic cycling event as the RoadNats comes to the region for a twelfth consecutive year. More than 30,000 spectators attended the cycling festival earlier this year, providing a great chance for cycling enthusiasts to indulge in such a high level of the sport. Day one sees the criterium event take place before the individual time trial takes to the streets of Ballarat on Thursday. A rest day breaks up the five-day event before the weekend's road races begin.
RoadNats has transformed into five of the biggest days on Australia’s cycling calendar and 2017 promises to be bigger and better.
- Cycling Australia CEO Nicholas Green
The Mount Buninyong circuit will once again provide the backdrop for the two races with Saturday afternoon allowing Australia's best under-23 riders to begin proceedings. Saturday will also hold the Gran Fondo road race, handing amateur and recreational riders their chance to tackle the fully closed roads of the tough Buninyong circuit. Then Sunday will showcase the main event as the men's and women's road races get underway.
Cycling Australia Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Green said the event was huge on the Australian cycling calendar and great exposure for the sport and Ballarat.
“RoadNats has transformed into five of the biggest days on Australia’s cycling calendar and 2017 promises to be bigger and better,” Green said.
“There will be no shortage of opportunities for cycling fans to immerse themselves in the week’s festivities, whether it be racing themselves, lining the streets to cheer on their heroes or tackling the Gran Fondo course."
Visit Ballarat CEO Noel Dempsey reinforced Green's message and said the event had evolved significantly over the past 11 years.
“We’re seeing whole families visit Ballarat for RoadNats. They’re watching and participating in the cycling events, they’re visiting attractions and eating in the local cafes and restaurants. They’re doing more and staying longer. This is an event that provides great benefit for the whole community," Dempsey said.