The course announcement for the Australian world championships has been eagerly awaited with the possibility for a range of route options for the hilly Wollongong region.
The escarpment between the iconic Flagstaff Hill and WIN Stadium will be the base of operations and the finish for all the events, within 100 metres of Wollongong City Beach.
The championships, which will run from September 18-25, will roll down the start ramp with the Women's Elite Time Trial from the beachfront start/finish precinct at Marine Drive, before winding through Wollongong city loop that will form the major part of the Wollongong courses for both time trials and road races.
The athletes will traverse Gwynneville, part of Mount Ousley Road and Fairy Meadow before heading north to Towradgi and returning along the coast in an area that can attract high winds.
Wollongong 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships Time Trial Course Source: Wollongong 2022
In an opening day double-header, the Men Elite Time Trial will follow in the tracks of the Women Elite riders over the same course, and for the first time in UCI Road World Championship history, the same distance on the same day.
The elite road races will feature the iconic scenery of the area north of Greater Wollongong early in the course, the men's and women's pelotons starting in Helensburgh, before sweeping down along the coast through Stanwell Park, Scarborough before traversing to Thirroul along the famous Sea Cliff bridge.
The route will wind along the coast towards Wollongong, before heading out on the Mt Keira Loop, that will contain the sub-tropical rainforest ascent of the iconic geographical feature of the region.
Wollongong 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships courses Source: Wollongong 2022
After completing the loop, it will be onto a series of circuits around the Wollongong City Loop, slightly extended from the time trial course to include an ascent of Mt Pleasant along Mt Ousley Rd.
Mount Pleasant is a short but steep climb – it features an average gradient of 7.7% and a maximum of 14% to reach a maximum elevation of 119m. With a relatively short run-in to the finish in City Beach from there, it may prove to be decisive to determining the winner.
Full course details such as neutral zones, overall race distances and number of circuits of the city and Mt Keira loops for the road race are yet to be released, with further details promised soon by organiser.
Wollongong 2022 UCI Road Cycling World Championships - Mt Pleasant climb Source: Wollongong 2022
There were concerns raised by athletes about the lack of an Under 23 women's category at the world championships. There is to be a 'race within a race' for the Under 23 women's road race, but no Under 23 women's time trial event scheduled separately at present.
Wollongong 2022 Race Director Scott Sunderland said the landscapes and topography would please athletes and spectators alike.
“There’s nowhere in the world like Australia, and I think the elevation of the region will surprise some people,” Sunderland said.
“The 2022 UCI Road World Championships courses have all the makings to produce a sensational series of races that will unearth worthy medallists and create memories for fans and athletes alike.”
AusCycling CEO, Marne Fechner, highlighted the difficulties that have surrounded the event, with the hope that will make the world championships even more special as a major international event on Australian shores.
“There has never been a period like this for international sport where restricted movement has challenged athletes, officials and fans from engaging with major events,” Fechner said.
“For this reason we are even more excited to host the 2022 UCI Road World Championships to relaunch international cycling in Australia with this marquee event for against the backdrop of a beautiful city that is embracing bike riding for sport, leisure and active transport.”
2022 Wollongong UCI Road Cycling World Championships schedule
September 18
Women’s Elite Time Trial
Men’s Elite Time Trial
September 19
Men’s U23 Time Trial
September 20
Women’s Junior Time Trial
Men’s Junior Time Trial
September 21
Team Time Trial Mixed Relay
September 23
Men’s Junior Road Race
Men’s U23 Road Race
September 24
Women’s Junior Road Race
Women’s Elite Road Race
September 25
Men’s Elite Road Race
