VICTORIA ON TRACK TO CYCLE TO SUCCESS
| Wednesday, 14 May 2008 | |
|
Victoria has secured the major international cycling event, the UCI Track Cycling World Cup, for the next three years. Listen to John Brumby and James Merlino announcement  Premier John Brumby said securing the event has confirmed Victoria as a premium international cycling destination.“Victoria is the ultimate sports location and this Government will continue to support our world-class venues to attract world-class events,” Mr Brumby said. “This major event will bring elite national cycling teams from 50 countries to compete at Melbourne’s Vodafone Arena and will be broadcast around the world. “The Union Cycliste Internationale Track Cycling World Cup is a global event and will see Melbourne share the international stage with Manchester, Cali, Beijing and Copenhagen in front of TV audiences of millions of people. “This is another sporting and major events coup for Victoria.” Mr Brumby also announced former Premier Steve Bracks as honorary Chairman of the 2010 UCI Roads World Championships, to be held in Melbourne and Geelong. “I am delighted that Mr Bracks has accepted the invitation to assist this event which is second only to the Tour de France,” Mr Brumby said. “This will be the first time the southern hemisphere will host the Roads and the event is expected to attract more than 700 of the world’s best cyclists, as well as a large media contingent and support crews.” 
Cycling is the fourth most popular sport in Australia, with around 1.7 million people participating on a regular basis. From grass roots to elite, Victoria has an excellent track record in cycling events, with past events including the 2004 UCI Track World Championships, the 2002 UCI Juniors World Championships, the UCI Women’s World Cup Road Race as well as the annual Jayco Herald Sun Tour and Around the Bay in a Day events. Sport and Recreation Minister James Merlino said the Brumby Government was committed to hosting major sporting events that place Melbourne in the national and international spotlight boosting tourism and investment in Victoria. Melbourne’s year round major sporting events calendar includes the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Australian Open Tennis, Boxing Day Test, Spring Racing Carnival, AFL Grand Final and the Socceroos World Cup qualifiers. “Victoria’s success in major sporting events is built on world-class facilities such as the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the organisations and individuals who deliver major events and the city’s sporting public who continue to embrace these major sporting events,” Mr Merlino said. “In the next few years Melbourne will host a range of blue chip international sporting events including the Presidents Cup golf in 2011.” Cycling Australia President Mike Victor OAM recognised the strong support of the Brumby Government. "Victoria has a proud cycling heritage and has produced many of our most successful cyclists so it is fitting the state will now host two of our sport’s marquee events,” Mr Victor said. “Victoria also has a strong reputation for staging major sporting events and will be an outstanding host when we welcome the stars of world cycling to our shores.” |
