Building on the incorporation of para-cycling events in recent years, an event for cyclists with an intellectual impairment will also be included in January

According to Cycling Australia's sports manager Kipp Kaufmann, the new events will create a more inclusive festival of cycling.

"It'll be recognised by international body, the INAS, and they'll be integrated to competing at the same time on the same days as the para-cyclists," he said, noting the feedback from the athletes had been overwhelming.

READ MORE: Check out our coverage from last year

"It's been incredibly successful, the athletes are some of the best in the world, and they'll be leading into the Tokyo (2020 Paralympics) preparation," he said.

"They're also loving the competition and the event in Ballarat, it's a world-class para-cycling national championship event - a number of the athletes last year said the atmosphere was the equivalent of some of the biggest races in Europe."

This year, crowds were up on Friday night despite the 40 degree heat.

The fixed gear race is expected to return with a modified course, and participation events for 2020 include the Gran Fondo national championships, where anyone can enter their bike and ride the Mt Buninyong course, a second online Zwift e-criterium, and a new National Street Climb Challenge on Friday.

"That's something a bit fun for everyone to race up Sturt Street - it's a challenge, but it's something everyone can do," Mr Kaufmann said.

Following the time trials, the popular Sturt Street criterium will return on Friday night, with a small but significant tweak.

This year, the elite and under 23 women will headline the night, beginning just after the elite men.

"That'll ensure there's more people at the criterium and provide equity in terms of the event, we don't always have to have the men last in every race that's happening," Mr Kaufmann said.

The event has been in Ballarat for the past 13 years, with 2020 the final year in a three-year arrangement with the City of Ballarat.

Cycling Australia's chief executive Steve Drake said in a statement the organisation enjoyed a "great relationship" with council.

"(Cycling Australia) would love to see the relationship continue beyond the current contract," he said.

The City of Ballarat's mayor Samantha McIntosh said the RoadNats had become "synonymous" with Ballarat, and had established the city's reputation as "the premier cycling destination in Australia".

"Ballarat has so much to offer cyclists and spectators and this event has proven that to many thousands of visitors to our city each year," she said in a statement.

Last year, new initiatives like a family-friendly cinema night in Buninyong's De Soza Park kept more people in the region for longer, and Mr Kaufmann said there'd be a few more surprises this year.

The RoadNats begins on Wednesday, January 8.

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