That is, of course, if the world doesn't come to them first. Both national road race champions, George and Fuller braved the teeming rain to celebrate a 500-day milestone until the Illawarra hosts the World Championships in 2022.

George had competed in the Flagstaff Hill criterium and Illawarra Cycle Club events at Mt Keira, before taking out the Australian under-19 title earlier this year.

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He's already fielded offers from overseas teams, but will wait until finishing his HSC and for the pandemic picture to become clearer.

"One of my big goals was to compete well at nationals and I feel like I can relax a bit this year now," he said.

"It was my big target race and with the COVID uncertainty, I can wait until I finish school. It's amazing to come and see the world championships course, the area is pretty unique and it would be awesome to race down here with some of the world's best.

"I'd love to go go overseas and compete, but there's still a bit of uncertainty there, so with the world titles ahead here it's exciting."

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George also finished second in the under-19 time trial, while Fuller was runner-up in the road race and criterium this year, after taking out both events in 2020.

"Last year I went there with no expectations and was pretty happy with my first go at under-19 level," she said. "It makes it pretty special, having an Australian kit of your own and shows what it would mean to have the world titles here.

"At the moment I'm just working through school and with the NSW program, but going overseas is the goal.

"Hopefully the opportunities will come soon."

World Road Cycling Championships

Wollongong, September 18-25, 2022