Sovereign Park Motor Inn's Tim Canny said he was fully booked for the entire event, from Wednesday to Sunday.

He noted it was hard to find a room anywhere on Saturday night, with visitors flocking to watch the national championships.

READ MORE: Cycling event brings fans and tourism money back to Ballarat

He noted the majority of visitors were there for the cycling, which proved what a draw the event had become for the city.

"It was a bumper week for us," he said.

"Normally the first week of February is quiet because school goes back, there's not really a lot going on, so it was a much busier week than what it is historically."

It wasn't just visitors, as each team, and each individual rider, brought their own support crews as well, including coaches and mechanics.

This year's Gran Fondo mass participation ride was expanded, becoming part of the UCI World Tour and introducing a time trial event as well as the Saturday evening ride which saw more than 700 riders of all skill levels test their skills.

Hospitality businesses also appeared to benefit based on the amount of lycra outfits spotted across town in the mornings.

In Buninyong, the change in date brought on by the pandemic had been a net positive.

The Buninyong and District Community Association's Roger Permezel said traders and other groups were already excited for next year, hoping the February date would become permanent.

This could be difficult for organisers, who will have to slot in the RoadNats between other warm-up events like the Bay Crits, and the Tour Down Under when it returns.

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For this year, at least, there was a renewed enthusiasm, Mr Permezel said - in previous years, half the residents are on holiday in early January, so the 2021 event was the first time some were able to check it out.

"It's interesting so many people were talking about what we can do for next year - usually it dies down and you start talking again in April or May, but the interest is high," he said.

"The school, the retailer's group, they're getting plans together already.

"Given the tough times that traders and some of the food and beverage outlets have had over the past 12 months, they really appreciate the extra boost they got this year."

Organisers have tried to engage the community more with free movie nights, and more mass participation events in previous years pre-COVID.

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Buninyong Primary School was also more involved this year, with a recording of students singing the national anthem before races and a live display for helicopter TV cameras.

Mr Permezel said a sense of ownership from the community was beginning to grow.

"Buninyong is rising to the occasion," he said.

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