Ballarat’s local businesses have caught cycling fever as the Road National Championships kicked into action last night.
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Sturt Street played host to the Criterium events for men, women and under 23 categories, and a big crowd gathered along Ballarat’s main drag to get their cycling fix.
For many local establishments along Sturt Street, the opportunity to capitalise on the national event is too good to pass up.
Europa Cafe owner Kathryn Hotchin says the cycling gives her business a welcome boost in numbers, despite experiencing a brief decline due to road closures.
“We’ve definitely noticed more cycling groups coming in for coffee so far this week,” Hotchin said.
“The traffic restrictions mean the afternoons are a bit quiet, but the evenings are mental for us.
“We absolutely encourage the event, it brings a great atmosphere to Ballarat and Sturt Street.
“It’ll be good to see it remain over the next few years.”
The wave of tourists that hits Ballarat every year has the city’s accommodation at full capacity, and for The Red Lion’s Sovereign Park Motor Inn, the week provides them with one of their most successful periods.
Rhys Sizeland, Marketing Manager for The Red Lion, says a positive relationship with the cycling community always translates to good business during the championships.
“We’ve always had a very good understanding with the cycling community and cycling groups that come through Ballarat,” he said.
“We always find ourselves fully booked when this weekend comes around.
“It keeps us on track from the Christmas period, so we’re definitely happy to have the extra business.
“We’re definitely happy with it, it’s always great when the championships arrive.”
Visit Ballarat CEO Noel Dempsey said the national event has experienced a seismic rise in popularity since its first installment in Ballarat 10 years ago.
“Last year more than 30,000 spectators attended the five day festival, showcasing Ballarat’s cafes, restaurants, retail, accommodation and attractions to domestic and international visitors,” Dempsey said.
“This coupled with the high calibre of athletes who enter the event makes it the biggest on Ballarat’s sporting calendar.
“For 2017 the race will be broadcast across SBS and Fox Sports… putting Ballarat on the global map as a sporting destination.”
Cycling action continues today at Buninyong with time trial races, and will involve big names such as 2016 champion and Rio Olympian Rohan Dennis, as well as elite women’s 2016 champion Katrin Garfoot.
The highly anticipated road races will then dominate proceedings over both Saturday and Sunday as the 2017 Championships draw to a close.