Wollongong Worlds 2022 courses unveiled
For the first time in history, men and women will race the same length time trial at the World Championships
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The courses for the 2022 Wollongong Road World Championships have been unveiled, the road race devised to invite attacking racing and a time trial course that is equal in length for both men and women for the first time in Worlds history.
The road race will see riders tackle the Mount Keira Loop, a climb 8.7 km in length and with an average gradient of 5%, before Mount Pleasant, a 1 km-long kick with a 7.7% average gradient that the men will ascend 12 times and the women six.
In total, the men’s race will take in 3,945 meters of elevation gain and the women’s 2,433 meters. The Wollongong City Circuit also features 33 turns that should invite a multitude of attacks from rainbow jersey hopefuls.
The elite men and women will race a 37.6 km-long time trial, the first time in history both have raced a course of equal length, which is flat with some technical sections. Both races against the clock will also take place on the opening day of the Championships on Sunday, September 18.
During the presentation, organisers said a Flemish or Ardennes Classics specialist could prosper on the course. “Why not Julian Alaphilippe for a third title?” asked UCI President David Lappartient. Mark Renshaw added a pure sprinter could also contest gold but only if they brought their “A-game”.
“There is no place in the world like Australia,” added race director Scott Sunderland. “The difference in height in the region may surprise some people. The course has everything to produce a sensational series of races and create great memories.”