Months after Australia dominated the cycling with 14 medals at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, the government has secured a prestigious cycling event for Brisbane that will serve as a qualifying event for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The 2019 UCI Track World Cup, secured by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland in partnership with Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Marketing and Cycling Australia, is expected to attract thousands of elite cyclists and spectators to Queensland’s capital.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the event reaffirmed Queensland’s position as a global sporting events hub and follows the announcement of the Brisbane Cycling Festival package of events from 2019-2021.
“The Commonwealth Games put Queensland on the map as one of the major events capitals of the world,” she said.
“We’re building on that legacy to secure more major events to Queensland to grow our tourism sector.
“The UCI Track World Cup will be staged in December 2019 and will make use of vital Commonwealth Games legacy infrastructure at the Anna Meares Velodrome - the home of indoor cycling events during the Games.
“This event will see some of the world’s best cyclists converge on Brisbane, luring cycling fans from across the globe to Queensland to experience the best of what we have to offer in our state.
“Before the Tissot Track World Cup we’ll host the inaugural Brisbane Cycling Festival from March to April next year. This event is forecast to generate about $8 million across its three-year lifetime.
“The popularity of cycling amongst Australians coupled with the high calibre of cyclists the event is set to attract will ensure the success of this new Queensland event.
“The UCI Track World Cup adds to Queensland’s growing events calendar, now worth $780 million to the state’s economy.”
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said securing the 2019 UCI Track World Cup was another coup for Brisbane, following the recent announcement the city would stage the Brisbane Cycling Festival.
“Hosting the 2019 UCI Track World Cup once again demonstrates our city’s ability to stage first-rate cycling events and the world-class Anna Meares Velodrome will be a fitting host venue for the competition,” Cr Quirk said.
“This is the first UCI world track cycling event to be hosted by Australia since 2012, establishing Brisbane as the home of track racing.
“Major events are important to Brisbane – they draw in visitors and fill hotel rooms, boost the hospitality, service and retail sectors and profile the city on the world stage.”
Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake said it would be fantastic to see this premier event held in the world-class Anna Meares Velodrome.
“We saw during the Commonwealth Games just how passionate fans are for the Australian Cycling Team, so we cannot wait,” Mr Drake said.
Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Cycling Track Gold Medallist Alex Porter said he couldn’t wait to line up in the green and gold for a Track World Cup in his own back yard.
“It’s such an important part for the build-up for Tokyo 2020 and having a home crowd advantage gives us all such a buzz,” Porter said.
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Source: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2018/8/3/brisbane-to-host-elite-international-track-cycling-event