In 31 days, Wollongong will have global media attention for eight days when more than 1,000 professional riders from 70 nations descend on the region to compete in 11 races, weaving in and out of the city.
The UCI World Championships is one of the biggest events on the international cycling calendar and one of the top five sporting events in the world.
Given the magnitude of the event, it will mean disruptions if you live or work in Wollongong.
Here is everything you need to know.
When is it on?
Saturday, September 17 until Sunday, September 25.
Who is racing?
The participants are the world's best cyclists and they will be representing their countries.
Many of the teams are still being finalised, including the Australian team, with announcements expected in the coming week.
Ride Media founder and journalist Rob Arnold said he expected to see the likes of Canberra rider Michael Matthews not only racing, but taking home the rainbow jersey.
"He's medalled twice at the worlds before and he's won the green jersey at the Tour de France," he said.
But Mr Arnold said Australian selectors had a wealth of talent to choose from, including Jai Hindley, Jack Haig and in the women's division, Alex Manly.
Can I watch the race?
Thousands of people are expected to come from all over the world to watch the races and the organisers want to see as many people as possible lining the streets during the event.
They have also suggested displaying flags and decorating your house to spur on the competitors as they ride through residential areas.
Mr Arnold said watching the climbs would be the biggest spectacle.
"Mainly because that's where the attacks happen, that's where the animated element of the race is on," he said.
"The pros are going to be flying, they will blow your mind how quickly they go up that steep gradient, but the hills are free, and they will be alive with an enormous chorus of sound."
Will the races be broadcast?
If you aren't a fan of crowds, you can watch the event from the comfort of your lounge.
The race will be broadcast on Stan Sport while the final two-and-a-half hours of the elite races will also be broadcast on free-to-air television on the Nine Network.
ABC Illawarra and ABC Sport will also be providing coverage of the event throughout the week.
Is there a way I can get involved?
Yes. Some 1,500 volunteers are needed to help run the event and UCI chief executive Stuart Taggart said more were needed.
"We've got just over 1,250 but we're looking to try and secure another 300-odd volunteers," he said.
"Anybody that is thinking we don't need any more help, that is incorrect.
"We'd love to have you as part of our team."
You must register your interest online with training for volunteers to be held in late August.
Will there be road closures?
For the duration of the event multiple roads from Helensburgh in the north to Unanderra in the south and Mount Keira in the west will be affected at various times, and there will be temporary closures.
The Mount and Kembla loop is expected to reopen progressively within 60 to 90 minutes after the peloton passes through.
The full schedule is below or you can explore the UCIs interactive maps.
What about public transport?
Multiple bus services will be disrupted around the Wollongong local government area due to the road closures.
To mitigate the inconvenience, Mr Taggart said there would be more trains operating on the Illawarra line.
"There will be an uplift in train services at peak times during the event, that includes some more carriages for those trains that operate now, for certain times.
"On the bus side of things, they will still operate, some of the routes will change though and the normal stoppage places will be altered.
"We're working as hard as we can to enable people to still get around on public transport," he said.
Will any schools have to close?
As the event falls on the final week of term three, it will force seven public schools and two support units to conduct classes online for the duration of the event. So why not hold the event during the school holidays?
"Unfortunately, the schedule is linked to the broader international cycling calendar, and it is always this third week of September," Mr Taggart said.
So how big is this event anyway?
In a nutshell, Mr Taggart said it would be "the biggest event Wollongong has ever hosted".
The only other time Australia has hosted a road cycling world championship was in 2010 when the Victorian city of Geelong held the event.
The mayor at the time, Barbara Abley, said the international exposure and economic benefits from the race were huge and had been ongoing.
"People got right into it and when they realised they weren't going to be cut off from life, they really embraced it," she said.
"I think you're always going to get people who don't like change but all in all, it was a positive experience.
"And, we have successfully hosted more events like the UCI since, it was amazing," Ms Abley said.
Who is paying for this?
The cost is being shared by all levels of government with Destination NSW footing most of the bill and the Commonwealth contributing $5 million to the event.
A spokesperson for Wollongong Council said it had allocated $1 million to provide the circuit and route, under the Host City Agreement.
"The more temporary changes to roads have been funded by grants, including $700,000 from the federal government," the spokesperson said.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said much of the expense to the city had already been budgeted for.
"When it comes to the road surfacing and all of that, we have brought forward some of the planning we had in our infrastructure rollout and adjusted the city's budget around the event," he said.
There is also a small amount of private investment, which is commercial in confidence.
What do cyclists think about the event?
Four-time Olympian Cadel Evans, who won the Tour de France in 2011, is the only Australian to have won the rainbow jersey in its 100-year history.
He is also the Wollongong UCI Ambassador and has urged residents to keep an open mind.
"To have an international race go by their doors is going to be fantastic," he said.
"Please be patient with the road closures and plan carefully.
"Be ready for big crowds, lots of excitement and don't stand on the road because the riders move quickly.
"Appreciate it, enjoy it, go down and see it and get up close to the riders and the racing, it's a huge event," Mr Evans said.
Mr Arnold agreed.
"I don't think Wollongong quite understands the magnitude of this," he said.
"It is world class cycling coming to town and it really is a sporting spectacular, and I would encourage everyone to be excited about it."
How can I contact the organisers?
If you have more questions, you can contact the UCI directly;
- Community@wollongong2022.com.au
- 1300 216 228
The UCI website, Wollongong2022.com.au, is also updated regularly with the latest information about the event.
Community information stalls will also be popping up across the city from today.
Road Closures:
- Saturday 17th – Individual time trial training will commence. Roads will be closed around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwyneville from 7:30am to 12pm. Flagstaff Point and Cliff Road will be closed between 7:30am and 5pm.
- Sunday 18th – The 34-kilometre men's and women's elite individual time trial events will be held. The event will start at Market Street and finish at Marine Drive in Wollongong. Roads around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville will be closed between 8am and 6pm.
- Monday 19th – The men's under 23, 28.8-kilometre individual time trial gets underway. The event will start at Market Street and finish at Marine Drive in Wollongong. Roads around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville will be closed from 11:30am to 6pm.
- Tuesday 20th – The women's 14.1 kilometre junior (under 19) individual time trial begins. The riders will take off from Market Street and cross the finishing line at Marine Drive in Wollongong. There will be road closures around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville between 8am and 6pm.
- Wednesday 21st – The men's junior (under 19) 28.8 kilometre individual time trail will be held. The mixed relay team time trial event is also scheduled on the same day. Both events will start at Market Street and end at Marine Drive in Wollongong. Roads around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville will be closed from 12.30pm and 6pm.
- Thursday 22nd – There are no races scheduled but riders will be given access to some routes for training. There will be road closures around Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville from 8am to 1.30pm.
- Friday 23rd – The junior men's 135.6 kilometre road race and men's under 23, 169.8 kilometre road race begins. Both will start and finish at Marine Drive in Wollongong and will include eight and 10 laps of the city circuit, respectively. Roads affected on the day will be across Wollongong, Mount Ousley and Gwynneville between 7am and 6pm.
- Saturday 24th – The women's junior 67.2 kilometre road race and women's elite 164.3 kilometre road race begins. The junior race starts and finishes at Marine Drive in Wollongong and includes four laps of the city circuit. The elite event includes a lap of the Mount Keira route and 6 laps of the city circuit.There will be road closures in the following areas during the day:
- Wollongong from 6.45am — 6pm
- Helensburgh to Bulli from 11am — 2pm
- Bulli to Fairy Meadow from 11.30am — 2:30pm
- Mt Keira & Mt Kembla from 11.30am — 3pm
- Unanderra to Wollongong from 12pm — 3:30pm
- Sunday 25th – The 266.9-kilometre elite men's road race will cap off the eight-day event. Competitors will start at Helensburgh and finish at Marine Drive in Wollongong. The race includes one lap of the Mount Keira loop and 12 laps of the city circuit. Roads will be affected in the following areas throughout the race:
- Helensburgh to Bulli from 8.45am — 11.30am
- Bulli to Fairy Meadow from 9.15am — 12:15pm
- Wollongong from 9:15am — 6pm
- Mt Keira and Mt Kembla from 9.15am — 12.30pm
- Unanderra to Wollongong from 9.45am — 12.45pm
