BATHURST Regional Council has signaled its intention to keep growing the city’s reputation as a centre for all kinds of sporting events.
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Although it eventually lost out to Ballarat, council had put in a bid to host the Cycling Australia National Road Championships in Bathurst.
The event sees the nation's leading male and female riders battling it out in three different events - the criterium, time trial and road race.
“Bathurst has a reputation as a regional hub for hosting major sporting events that includes cycling competitions, which attract competitors and visitors from around the state and Australia,” mayor Graeme Hanger OAM said.
“Council put in a bid for the Cycling Australia National Road Championships because it would have complemented the existing major cycling events the city hosts and would have provided added economic benefits to the city.”
He said Bathurst already has a wealth of cycling events and facilities that make it suitable for holding an event of this nature.
These include the Blayney to Bathurst Cycling Festival, which this year was a qualifier for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Grand Fondo World Championships, and the Bathurst Bike Park on the Vale Road.
“Council has invested in cycling as it supports the local community, economy and also ensures that our local tourism industry continues to flourish and grow into the future,” Cr Hanger said.
“This is in line with Council’s Community Strategic Plan and Destination Management Plan, which seek to support the development of the event sector and attract national sporting events.”
Despite being unsuccessful in its bid, council has not ruled out potentially putting in another bid for the road nationals in the future.
“We will re-evaluate and consider options of placing a bid to host the Cycling Australia National Road Championships in the future,” Cr Hanger said.
The road nationals will be held in Ballarat until at least 2020.
It has attracted the likes of Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and Grand Tour stage winners Richie Porter, Rohan Dennis and Caleb Ewan.
Some of Bathurst's leading riders have also frequented the event.