Cycling race to deliver a financial win

More than $600,000 will be pumped into the local economy this month when Bunbury and Dardanup host the 2018 Cycling Australia Junior Road National Championships.

Set to attract about 300 of the nation’s best under-15s and under-17s riders, the events are being run by CycleSport WA on behalf of Cycling Australia over the weekend of September 21-23.

Bunbury will host the criterium and individual time trial events while Dardanup will host the blue ribbon event, the road race.

“This is a huge win for the city,” Deputy Mayor Jaysen Miguel said.

“Economic impact is expected to be about $614,250 over three days, based on 99 per cent of competitors coming from outside the region.

“Visitors will utilise local accommodation providers, dine at various eateries, spend money on retail and also experience what Bunbury has to offer.”

Racing will get under way on the morning of September 21 with the individual time trial.

Competitors will battle it out against the clock along Ocean Drive with the wind sure to play its part and test the riders to the maximum.

Local riders were given a preview of the road race course last month when the State titles were raced over the same Ferguson Valley course.

The road race will be held on Saturday, September 22 with competitors racing from Dardanup to Gnomesville and back, taking in varying laps of Wellington Mill before returning to the start finish line.

Sunday, September 23 will mark the last day of competition, with the criterium being raced around a 1.5km circuit made of the Upper Esplanade, Ocean Drive and Scott Street.

“Ocean Drive is safer for competitors as it has less street furniture than last year’s criterium location which included median strips, traffic lights and roundabouts,” Cr Miguel said.