As we endure these seemingly never-ending weeks of COVID lockdown, we are all searching for signs and reminders of better times ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Whether that means getting together with friends and family, or going to events again, or reopening our businesses and welcoming customers or guests, especially from out of town - even overseas - it can't happen quickly enough.
For me this week, for a few reasons, it does feel that little bit closer.
The NSW government's announcement of their "Roadmap to Freedom" once we reach 70 per cent of the adult population double-dose vaccinated was certainly some welcome light at the end of the tunnel.
As I write this we have passed 80 per cent with a single shot, so the target is starting to feel like it is within reach.
At Wollongong 2022 we have been pleased to support the Vax the Illawarra campaign, which is leading the way back for our community.
More specifically for us at the 2022 UCI Road World Championships organising committee, the start this week of the 2021 event in Flanders, Belgium is a real taste of the excitement of what awaits us here in Wollongong just 12 months from now.
With COVID restrictions now lifted, and tourism and events in full flight, Flanders is gearing up to welcome 1000 of the world's best cyclists, and hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over Europe and the world.
I would encourage you to take a look for yourself. All the action and atmosphere from Flanders will be live on SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand, with the best cyclists in the world contending for the rainbow jerseys across the elite, junior and Under-23 categories in the road race and time trial from September 19-26.
If you can transpose in your mind's eye the cobbled streets of Bruges for our escarpment and beaches, you will get a bit of a sense of what we have in store for us when better times return next year.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors injecting millions of much needed dollars into our local shops and businesses.
Flanders, like Wollongong next year, will be watched on television by hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
But the contribution of the Road World Championships to the better times ahead for Wollongong will start well before next year's event. In a number of ways, it is already under way.
As the next hosts, Wollongong is given an extraordinary opportunity at Flanders this week to present Wollongong to the whole cycling world, and to invite them and excite them about coming to Australia next year.
Wollongong will be presented to the several hundred leaders of international cycling at the UCI Congress.
We will be talked about in media conferences by the UCI President, and in commentary by the world's media.
Flanders, like Wollongong next year, will be watched on television by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It's an incredible opportunity to introduce them to Wollongong, and assure them that we will be open for business next September, and rolling out the welcome mat.
The economic contribution of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong has been estimated at $95 million. That sure feels like better times ahead!
At the same time, this week UCI has advised us that they have reached an agreement with a major commercial domestic broadcaster for our event next year.
While UCI and this broadcaster will be saying more about this deal in the coming weeks, for me it is certainly further contributing to my sense that better times for Wollongong are not too far away.
Because not only does this assure Wollongong of the hours of live and free-to-air destinational showcasing and promotional coverage that money can't buy, it will also provide a massive package of airtime and activities that we will use to promote Wollongong nationally over the next 12 months.
It amounts to a multimillion-dollar promotional campaign for Wollongong exactly at a time when we most need it. With that sort of support, the good times can't be too far away.
So as we all look forward to the better times ahead, I hope that the 2022 UCI Road World Championships can be a huge part of those over the next 12 months.
Whether it is as an unprecedented and very timely promotional platform for Wollongong, attracting visitors and their dollars to our businesses that have been doing it so tough, or bringing new businesses and investment to the city, and the jobs that go with that. Or just as a once-in-a-lifetime occasion to celebrate with friends and family, at one of the world's truly great sporting events. The 2022 UCI Road World Championships will be a big part of Wollongong's Road to Recovery. As difficult as times are right now, better times are just up the Road.
- Stu Taggart is CEO of Wollongong 2022
UCI Road World Championships - LIVE SBS Schedule
Sunday, September 19
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's Elite Individual Time Trial + Award Ceremony
22:10 - 01:25 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
Monday, September 20
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's Under 23 Individual Time Trial + Award Ceremony
18:30 - 21:10 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Women's Individual Time Trial + Award Ceremony
22:30 - 01:00 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
Tuesday September 21
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Women's Junior Individual Time Trial + Award Ceremony
18:25 - 20:40 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's Junior Individual Time Trial + Award Ceremony
22:50 - 01:25 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
Wednesday September 22
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Mixed Team Time Trial + Award Ceremony
22:15 - 01:05 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
Friday September 24
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's Junior Road Race + Award Ceremony
16:10 - 19:35 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's U23 Road Race + Award Ceremony
21:15 - 02:00 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand
Saturday September 25
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Women's Junior Road Race + Award Ceremony
16:00 - 18:30 (AEST)- Live streaming to SBS On Demand
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Women's Elite Road Race + Award Ceremony
20:10 - 01:00 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand before SBS VICELAND LIVE at 21:30
Sunday September 26
UCI Road World Championships Belgium Men's Elite Road Race + Award Ceremony
18:15 - 01:20 (AEST) - Live streaming to SBS On Demand before SBS VICELAND LIVE at 21:30