"Make no doubt about it, this is going to be huge," the Governor-General said when he was announced as the first Wollongong 2022 Ambassador on Monday.

"I'm delighted to be in my home town to support an amazing event, it's just a lovely warm feeling."

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It is anticipated the September event will draw up to 35,000 visitors to the region, with a further 300 million or so watching the event across the world, Wollongong 2022 chair Dean Dalla Valle said.

"This is the biggest event we have ever hosted in Wollongong, and we have to grasp it with both arms," he said.

"We will need about 1500 volunteers, and it's a great opportunity to get involved."

Mr Dalla Valle said the course the race is to take through Wollongong will be announced on December 10.

An avid cyclist himself, General Hurley and his wife Linda, often complete a 20-kilometre circuit first thing in the morning.

They are both enthusiastic about the benefits cycling has to offer.

"It's wonderful exercise, good fun and you see parts of the city you've never seen before," he said.

Mrs Hurley said cycling was a great activity to share with loved ones.

"David will be right up the front and I'll be at the back - it's something we took up when David became the Governor-General," she said.

"We were using our old bikes from the 1970s at first, and one of David's policemen told me if I got a new bike I'd be able to beat him, so we went and got some new gear.

"I still haven't beaten him, but it is very relaxing."

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