The Championships will feature the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay, Individual Time Trials, Road Races, Community events and Activations throughout the eight days.
The Championships are expected to attract more than 1,000 competitors, 5,000 staff and 300,000 spectators to the Wollongong region during the Championships.
The timing of the worlds championships week of racing, 18-25 September 2022, fits with what is traditional for cycling but will likely mean a clash with the AFL Grand Final, normally held on the final Saturday of September. The world championships rarely switch from the late September fixture, but did shift for the Doha worlds, when the event was moved to October to avoid the extremes of the heat in Qatar.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “After five editions in Europe, the UCI Road World Championships make their way to Wollongong in Australia, confirming the global reach of one of our sport’s major annual events. We now know the dates, and I am sure our hosts in New South Wales will organise an unforgettable event for our athletes and for the spectators.”
NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the announcement marked the start of what is set to be a fantastic UCI Road World Championships for Wollongong, as well as the State.
“We’re delighted to start the countdown for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships! The event will attract visitors from far and wide, putting heads on beds, and spending in our restaurants, bars and boutiques, with the impact felt across every home in the region,” Mr Ayres said.
NSW Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said the announcement of the dates meant competitors could start preparing for the World Championships.
“The 2022 UCI Road World Championships has been secured as one of the NSW Government’s ‘10 World Cups in 10 Years’ and today’s announcement will enable the world’s best cyclists to focus on developing programs that will see them crowned world champion in three years’ time,” Mr Lee said.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said it was an exciting coup for Wollongong to host one of the world’s largest international cycling events, and to showcase the City on a global stage.
“Not only will the 2022 event bring enthusiastic bike riders from all over the world to Wollongong, it’ll provide our City with unprecedented international television coverage,’’ Cr Bradbery said.
“Turn on televisions across the globe during the UCI Road World Championships and you’ll see our world-class beaches, coastline and our escarpment broadcast into living rooms. I have no doubt this fantastic event will generate a vibrant atmosphere throughout Wollongong in the lead-up to, and the days of, the event. Plus, we don’t want to overlook, the ongoing legacies of promoting cycling as a viable and healthy alternative and of cycling infrastructure such an event may deliver for the city and those who call it home. This is something to really look forward to.’’
Chair of the Wollongong 2022 Organising Committee Dean Dalla Valle said he was excited to welcome the cycling world to Wollongong.
“The 2022 UCI Road World Championships will be the biggest event to ever come to Wollongong. We are working hard to deliver a world class event and legacy for the region. We can wait to show off Wollongong to the world. By confirming the dates visitors and teams can start planning their visits.”
