Cycling Australia yesterday announced Warrnambool would host the para-cycling national  road championships in 2017 and 2018.

It was unveiled as part of its four-year national championships calendar for elite, juniors, masters and para-cycling.

Cycling Australia has sprinkled its top events across the country, with major races in all six states, one territory and almost 20 different locations. 

Adelaide will run the para-cycling road titles for the next two years before they return to Victoria.

It is hoped the Warrnambool-hosted para-cycling championships will run in conjunction with Victorian Road Series event the Tour of the South West.

Cycling Australia manager for sport Sean Muir said running the para-cycling competition, which will include a road race and time trials, alongside a pre-existing event would be a positive, particularly as road closures would already be in place.

“From our point of view, having an existing event means you can use the same personnel and infrastructure,” Muir said. 

He said para-cycling was a rising sport, with world-class athletes.

“Numbers are growing substantially but it’s still low compared to other categories (we run),” Muir said.

“But I think we had 100 cyclists this year in Echuca.”

Cycling Victoria general manager Kipp Kaufmann said he was working with Warrnambool City Council to prepare for the top-level competition.

He said running the Tour of the South West and para-cycling road championships together during 2017-18 would be the ideal scenario.

“We’ve had discussions with council to run it with that event,” Kaufmann said.

“Certainly council’s done a great job with that event and it’s brought tourism to the area and is well supported with riders.”

Echuca hosted the past two para-cycling road championships.

Kaufmann said Cycling Victoria was thrilled to again secure the event.

“From our point of view it is exciting because Victoria has produced a number of para-cycling world champions so it’s good to showcase those riders,” he said.