Formally the AusCycling Road National Championships, Wednesday's racing will kick off five days of action, including the famous Sturt Street criterium sprints on Friday night and the perilous road races up Mount Buninyong across the weekend.

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The event will feature the best cyclists in Australia, from Tour de France contenders and Paralympians to first-timers and emerging talent.

The time trials begin at 8am with paracyclists - the elite women and men will be the final events, from about 3.45pm.

In Buninyong, which hopes to welcome thousands of visitors - as well as spectators and cycling fanatics, each cyclists will have their own crew joining them - the town's red bikes have been put out once again to add a bit of colour.

"The schookids were still very keen to participate, they've made the notices that are going up on the bikes in the next day or so - the very youngest kids in the school did these 'welcome to Buninyong' paintings," Friends of the Buninyong Botanical Gardens president Roger Permezel said. "We want to make sure when visitors come to Buninyong for the bike race, that they have a memorable experience, and the welcome is really important for that."

The City of Ballarat, in partnership with event organisers, is aiming for a "strict" COVID-free event.

All staff, volunteers, and contractors, as well as all participants, must be fully vaccinated. Council has also organised a massive fireworks display over Lake Wendouree for Sunday night - other community events involve a free coffee ride on Friday morning, and a free outdoor movie night at De Souza Park on Saturday evening.

More details, including detours, available online.

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