News Alert |

An estimated crowd of 20,000 people flocked to watch all the action of the Federation University Road National Championships in Ballarat and Buninyong this year. 

The high attendance numbers support the City of Ballarat’s decision to secure the RoadNats for the next three years. 

The City of Ballarat will partner with the Victorian Government and Cycling Australia to deliver the RoadNats which are televised around the world to an audience of more than half a million people, showcasing Ballarat in summer.  

The RoadNats has provided an estimated $35.5 million economic benefit to Ballarat over the past 13 years.   

In other statistics, the championships received more than 2,000 entries across the weekend. 

The event featured competitors from all states and territories, plus Thailand and Germany.  

The Gran Fondo and Para-cycling events doubled in size this year and the club events were up by 25 per cent. 

In the last four years, the number of RoadNats events has risen from 10 to more than 40, with more partners and sponsors on board, increased participation; additional elite events, improved spectator viewing and a series of community events such as coffee rides and junior clinics that have engaged local residents and crowds.    

The decision to move the time trial course through the Federation University grounds at Mt Helen this year was also seen as a positive move, applauded by participants and spectators.