Cycling Australia, on behalf of the Oceania Cycling Federation, is pleased to announce Bendigo will host the 2016 Oceania Road Cycling Championships from March 5-6.
The best athletes from across the Oceania region battle it out in the road race and individual time trial for the coveted title of Oceania champion in under 19, under 23 and elite categories.
The Championships is the fifth and final event of a five-event Oceania Tour – which includes the New Zealand Cycle Classic, Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Jayco Herald Sun Tour and REV Classic (NZ) – will offer valuable UCI rankings points.
“It is fantastic result for cycling that a Championship event of this calibre, and our great athletes, will be showcased in the region,” said Cycling Australia Nicholas Green OAM.
“The Championships extend the ‘summer of cycling’ in Australia, with the Rio 2016 Olympic Games just around the corner, it provides a great platform for our best to race on home soil in front of our great Aussie cycling fans.
“It is also fitting the Championships will held in Bendigo with its rich history of cycling which now will be celebrated over two big weekends,” added Green, referencing the iconic Bendigo International Madison which will be contested during the long weekend.
Oceania Cycling Confederation President Tracey Gaudry is looking forward to another successful staging of the Championships within Australia. The past two Championships were held in Toowoomba Queensland and the ACT respectively.
“The Oceania Cycling Confederation is delighted that the 2016 Oceania Road Championships will be held in Bendigo, Victoria,” said Gaudry.
“The Championships provides a key opportunity for athletes to gain valuable UCI points and in many events, performances may contribute towards selection for National team representation at World Championships.
“And in a progressive UCI development, the Oceania Champion is entitled to wear the Championship stripes in all competitions throughout the season alongside the Continental champions of Europe, Asia, America and Africa, raising the profile and importance of the Continental Championships in an increasingly global peloton,” Gaudry added.
