Peloton… City of Wyndham residents showed up in the thousands to support riders taking part in the UCI Road World Championships which zipped through Werribee on Sunday. 54185 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Alesha Capone
EXCITED Werribee sports fans gathered on Sunday to watch the cream of the international cycling community racing through the area in the UCI Road World Championships.
Several roads were closed to motorists, as competitors in the 77th International Cycling Union’s men’s road race sped through the suburb on their way to Geelong.
Star cyclists including world champion Cadel Evans, Fabian Cancellara, Simon Gerrans, Stuart O’Grady, Baden Cooke and Matthew Goss took part in the event.
The UCI described the contest as “second only to the Tour de France”.
Hundreds of entrants raced down the Princes Highway, Derrimut Rd, Railway Avenue, Market Rd, Cottrell St and Bulban Rd in Wyndham, as people watching clapped and cheered.
This year’s UCI Road World Championships, which began last Wednesday and finished on Sunday, were watched around the world by millions of television viewers.
It was only the seventh time the race has been hosted outside Europe and the first time it has been held in the southern hemisphere.
Wyndham City Council mayor Heather Marcus said the area was thrilled to be hosting the prestigious bike race.
“The 2010 UCI Road World Championship is an internally acclaimed race and the sight of a peloton is one you will never forget,” she said.
The Road World Championships also included the Under 23 Men’s Time Trial, the Elite Women and Men’s Time Trial and the Geelong Road Race Circuit.
