A bumper year of cycling across the region awaits in 2023 with Aus Cycling announcing two national events have been pencilled in for Shepparton.
The Junior and Masters National Road Championships will make their way to the Goulburn Valley in September, 2023, followed by the BMX Racing National Championships which have been locked in for October.
Next year will mark the return of the BMX National Championships, after the Shepparton BMX track had played host to the event in 2010, 2014 and 2019.
The event will act as Aus Cycling’s curtain-closer to the 2023 National Championships calendar.
According to Greater Sheppaton City Council estimates the championships will have upwards of 1200 riders from the ages of four to 70 descend on the region, as well as 4000 overnight visitors staying for the duration of the competition.
Council is also planning a Pre National Championships Test event the weekend prior to extend visitors’ stay for up to 10 nights.
More than 800 riders are anticipated to compete in the under-15, 17 and Masters 30 years plus age groups of the Junior and Masters Road National Championships.
Shepparton hosted the junior event in 2011 and 2015, but will host the masters for the first time next year.
Mayor Shane Sali said the region had a proud history of hosting prestigious BMX and cycling events.
“It’s always a standout when a cycling event is in town as our streets, accommodation venues and local businesses are buzzing with riders experiencing our services and everything that Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley has to offer,” Sali said.
“Council is excited to support these events which bring large visitor numbers to our region and support our local visitor economy. We are expecting great things from these two events.”
Sali said the events would have far-reaching benefits for the city and its surrounds.
“Analysis of the 2019 BMX National Championship demonstrated that the region saw an economic boost of more than $6 million from the 4000-plus overnight visitors who stayed in the region at the time.
“Combing that expected boost with the additional multi-day Junior and Masters Road National Championships, which will see another 2000 overnight visitors from all around Australia converge on the region, it is likely to inject a further two million into the economy and see a combined economic stimulus of more than $8 million, helping support local businesses and keeping our economy strong.”
With one eye on the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Sali said securing both events was testament to Shepparton’s ability to deliver elite sporting events.
“Council will continue to secure these major events in our region, it only strengthens our status as the regional sporting events capital of Australia and proving Greater Shepparton has the high-quality sporting facilities and services perfectly suited to host events for the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” he said.