SYDNEY, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The coastal Australian city of Wollongong, 100 kilometers south of Sydney, will host the renowned UCI Road Cycling World Championships in 2022, the New South Wales (NSW) State government announced on Monday.
As well as having an international viewing audience of around 200 million people, the race is expected to draw more than 300,000 spectators to the region, including 500 media outlets, and inject around 66 million U.S. dollars into the state economy.
"The eyes of the world will be on Wollongong for eight days in 2022 between the 18 and 25 September," NSW minister for sport Stuart Ayres said.
"The Championships will see junior, under-23 and elite male and female athletes compete across the Road Race, Individual and Team Time Trial events, creating a world-class event for spectators."
Denizens of the partly rural region will be treated to what is the second successful attempt by the NSW government in a current effort to attract international sporting events to the state.
"[Wollongong] residents have a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to witness the world's best cyclists, not to mention the fact our stunning region and its natural attractions will be broadcast into the homes of millions of people."
The area is home to the picturesque Sea Cliff Bridge, a 665-meter stretch of raised highway which juts out from the headland over the ocean, and will presumably form part of the race route.
