RoadNats 2021: Buninyong community opens to cycling fans as RoadNats kick off 2021

Cycling enthusiast Owen Richards rode from Northcote to Buninyong to watch the RoadNats road races on Sunday, only to ride back to Northcote once the barriers were being dismantled.

Mr Richards said while the ride was long and the weather was unseasonably cool, it was worthwhile for the biggest event on Australia's cycling calendar.

"The event's been good so far, wish it was a bit warmer, a bit more February summer weather but what can you do?" he said.

"It seems good so far, around here everyone seems like they're having a good time and [COVID-19 restrictions] haven't seem to have impacted the vibe at all."

For some, the RoadNats are a regular event on the calendar.

Kevin and Viv Howell have sat in the same spot on the mountain, in front of the same tree, for a decade.

The couple said the event was as good as watching a stage of the Tour de France.

"It's as good as a race in Europe, like a stage in the tours," Mr Howell said.

"We've been to the Tour de France, we know what it's like, it's good," Ms Howell added.

Buninyong resident Mark Yates has been attending the RoadNats for 13 years and, despite the road races putting him in a different sort of lockdown every year, appreciates the opportunities it presents to Ballarat and Buninyong.

"It means we get the town known, and we hope that the riding populace come back and share the hill with us, visit our accommodation and cafes, and really enjoy Buninyong," Dr Yates said.

"The organising committee's done a really great job to keep it COVID-safe, we've been very conscious of trying to make the populace is kept safe here in the regions, in particular."

Buninyong businesses welcomed the event back to town, along with the cycling fans that come with it.

Pig and Goose General Foodstore owner Wendy Kirby said it took a lot of work to prepare for the weekend, but it worthwhile for the town.

"All the staff are working all week to prepare for the day so it's a busy week, not just a busy weekend and it's great for Buninyong. It puts us on the map, really," she said.

"I didn't expect it to be as busy so I was a bit unsure of how it was going to go this year, but there seems to be just as many people around us as every other year. Everyone's doing the right thing with their masks and their social distancing as much as they can."

Ballarat-born SBS cycling commentator David McKenzie, who won the road race in 1998, praised the atmosphere of the event despite a smaller than usual turnout.

"The fact we've still got the race on, for anyone involved in the sport, we're just happy because one, we've got the national titles on; two, we've got live coverage; and three, we've actually got a bit of a crowd, which is great," he said.

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"It's been an awesome week, in my own mind, I put a few hats on when I think about it. It's obviously fantastic for the Ballarat community, the economic impact, that's actually really important.

"The people need it, we want to go to outdoor sport again, and the four days we've had so far and today, it's one of the best weeks of racing I've ever seen."

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said the event was 'incredibly important' to bring money into the local economy in the wake of COVID-19 lockdowns.

"[AusCycling] has done an absolute extraordinary job and are very mindful of the restrictions and things but still trying to keep the same character," she said.

"For example, we lost the big village up on the hill but they've managed to still create that same atmosphere here in town.

"It's important that they keep an eye on COVID in these times but really important that we still get the same sense of excitement and they've struck that balance."