The sport of cycling is no stranger to picturesque scenery. Road cycling is renowned for its stunning broadcasts, particularly during grand tour season – panning shots of French châteaux, Italian mountain passes and Spanish landscapes. It is not for nothing that tourism agencies are a major sponsor of cycling events globally.
Even by these standards, the UCI Road World Championships – which begin on Sunday in Wollongong – will be pleasing to the eye. The road race course will see the world’s best riders battle it out along a beautiful coastal road, from Helensburgh to Wollongong, including the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge at Stanwell Park, which protrudes into the ocean. The peloton will then head into the highlands to conqueror Mount Keira, before doing laps of a city circuit – 12 for the elite men, six for the women – before the world champions are crowned.
