Excitement and energy of RoadNats on show 

The economic and community benefits from the 2022 Federation University Road National Championships are expected to slightly increase on previous years. 

While official data on crowd numbers and economic impact are not expected for several weeks, City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said he was extremely pleased with how professionally the event was conducted, both by AusCycling and City of Ballarat events staff. 

“The whole five-day event ran very smoothly and in a COVID-safe manner and I was really happy with how brilliantly it once again showcased Ballarat and Buninyong to the world,” Cr Moloney said. 

“When the data eventually comes through, we anticipate a slight increase on the  economic impact from the 2021 event, and an even further event reach than the 2.9 million people who came to see the cycling in person or who watched it on TV in 2021 – especially given the Global Cycling Network came on board this year to broadcast the event across the world, as well as SBS.” 

This year was the first time the Saturday events were broadcast live, with plenty of interest sparked around the sport’s up and coming talent from the under-19 men and women and under-23 men’s categories. 

Cr Moloney said that, while it was Ballarat’s 16th year of running the RoadNats, local residents still supported the cycling championships as strongly as ever. 

“People were out and about to watch the criterium racing on Sturt Street on Friday and dotted all around the Buninyong course on Saturday and Sunday for the road races, as well as at Federation University for the time trials on Wednesday and Thursday,” he said. 

“It’s our first national event for the year and everyone wanted to feel the excitement and energy of elite racing. 

“The value these championships bring to Ballarat are immeasurable and I hope we continue our long-standing relationship with AusCycling as we further cement Ballarat as one of Australia’s premier cycling cities as part of the City of Ballarat’s Events Strategy.”