Tour de France stage winner Bradley McGee believes the Sea Cliff Bridge will be the Illawarra's iconic Champs Elysee moment, during the world championships later this year.
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McGee, who has worn the yellow jersey in cycling's greatest event and also won a gold medal at the Athens Olympics, said the millions of people watching on television will be just as captivated as the annual closing stage when riders finish in Paris.
"You just know that feeling you get as a cyclist, it will be an iconic moment," he said.
"We've seen how impressive the ride is with the Sydney to Gong ride and this will be the lasting image of the world championships.
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"It will absolutely be our version of the Champs Elysees, there will be millions of people watching in Europe excited to see it.
"The world championships will put the Illawarra and Australian cycling on the map in a way people haven't even realised yet."
After more than a decade living in Monte Carlo while competing on the European tours, McGee is now based at Robertson and has taken on the role of NSW Institute of Sport coaching director.
His career is among the most decorated in Australian sport, winning Olympics gold in the team pursuit in 2004 and silver in the individual pursuit.
McGee also has three bronze medals from Atlanta and Sydney, as well as two track world championships gold medals and five Commonwealth Games gold.
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In 2003, McGee claimed the yellow jersey after winning the opening time trial leg of the Tour de France around the Eiffel Tour and later became a team director for Team Saxonbank from 2008-12.
It's here where McGee's expertise is in high demand for the world championships.
Work with UCI officials and the Illawarra Cycle Club, McGee is negotiating with the elite European teams about training camps before the event starts on September 18.
"My phone has already been ringing," he said.
"A lot of the coaches and officials are after a bit of intel or advice on the course and the athletes will want to come out early to do some reconnaissance as part of their preparation.
"There's a lot of interest in what the climbs will offer as part of the course.
"These teams are going to be staying a lot longer than a European-based world championships to deal with jetlag and prepare to compete."
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Tim Barrow
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
When it comes to sport - at professional and community level - in the Illawarra, I'm here to provide insight, context and opinion, as well as the latest news you won't find anywhere else.
