The crits, which feature the best riders in Australia, including world champions and Tour de France heroes, will take over Sturt Street from Lydiard to Lyons Streets. 

There’s a full day of racing, with juniors in the morning, a new fixed gear race, and the elite women and men in the evening.

The best bet is getting above the course, and finding a balcony to watch, but these fill up quickly.

Instead, check out the start-finish line at the south side of Dawson Street, where there’s pop-up bars and plenty to see and do.

Don’t forget to bring your bike to take on the course yourself in the community ride, which begins at 1.45pm.

Alternatively, head down to the low end of the course at Lydiard Street, to see riders scream around the tight corner before climbing back up the hill.

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Particularly towards the end of the race, things get competitive and dangerous.

The median strip will provide shade and some excellent vantage points, plus having fans on both sides of the track adds to the atmosphere immensely, helping to rev up the competitors.

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Across the weekend, Buninyong will be bustling, with a community festival on Saturday evening and a King of the Mountain bar at the top of the climb on Sunday.

For the thrill seekers, the pace picks up dramatically through the rollercoaster turns at Federation University – champions have crashed out at this part of the course before.

Monday and Tuesday’s time trials begin in Buninyong’s Royal Park on Warrenheip Street, and big crowds can help the cyclists get home strong.

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