RoadNats 2023 begins in centre of Ballarat

Thousands are expected to turn up in Ballarat for one of the largest events on the Australian cycling calendar. Did you catch the beginning of RoadNats 2023?

The RoadNats 2023 elite mens' criterium on Sturt St.

Cyclists and sporting enthusiasts have arrived in Ballarat for one of the largest events on the Australian bike-riding calendar.

The Australian Cycling National Championships, or RoadNats 2023, will take place from January 6 to January 10 and showcase hundreds of the country’s best cyclists.

The tournament drew large crowds to Sturt St on Friday, with the City of Ballarat earlier estimating 15,000 spectators would be in attendance at this year’s event.

It is estimated visitors will spend about $4m throughout the occasion.

See below for photos of some of those in attendance on day one.

David Kelly and Jenna Lockett.

Louis and Brett Hickford.

Perrye, Archie, Xavier, and Huey.

Edmund and Scott Haskins.

Lyn Vasudeva.

Belinda and Craig Smith.

Jack, Kate, and Darby.

Elizabeth and Lara Fraser.

The Smiths.

Quinn and Andrew Findlay.

Abel Zlatkobic and Lewis Rickard.

Sovereign Park Motor Inn owner and Sebastopol Cycling Club president Tim Canny said RoadNats helped revive a summer visitor lull around Ballarat.

“January, traditionally prior to the cycling, has been a bit of a gap,” he said.

“Most people head towards the river or the beaches - they’ll go towards water for the summer holidays and Ballarat really was a bit of a ghost town.

“The nationals have started to grow over the years and it’s now filled that gap.”

Mr Canny said it was a “mixed bag” for hospitality operators, but overall the event was valuable for the city and exciting for local cyclists.

“It’s probably better for those who have self-contained accommodation because the cyclists like to cook for themselves … a motel room won’t be enough for them,” he said.

“That being said, there are spectators and support crew that spend a bit of money.

“As a cyclist myself I love the event - it’s great for Ballarat and there’s a real vibrancy around.

“We love showcasing what we have here in Ballarat to our cyclists because it really is a great place to ride your bike … it does put us on the map, certainly among the cycling people.”

The games began with a 1.1km circuit around Ballarat’s CBD on Friday evening, and will continue with road races in Buninyong over the weekend, concluding with time trials at Federation University’s Mount Helen campus on Monday and Tuesday.

Tour de France stage winners Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews have been confirmed as starters in the race.

Some roads around town will be closed throughout parts of the event.

Ballarat Regional Tourism chair Paul Martino said tourism operators welcomed any event which put the spotlight on the Ballarat region.

“The RoadNats shines a light on our region that is seen in many overseas markets that will be looking to travel internationally in 2023 and beyond,” he said.

“We welcome the cyclists and spectators and encourage them to explore all our region has to offer.”