With news that the L’Étape Cycle Race in its current form has been cancelled, The Greens are calling on Wollongong City Council to invite the L’Étape organizers to consider adding Wollongong to the race route instead of the Shoalhaven.

Greens candidate for the council elections Jess Whittaker said “Our region would be mad to let this opportunity slip away. Cycling races like this bring huge investment and showcase our amazing area to a television audience.”

“The Southern suburbs of Wollongong have routes that could be incorporated into the race. Maybe it could stick to the original plan to start in Kiama, move up into the Southern Highlands then finish in Wollongong via Marshall Mount, at Lake Illawarra or Belmore Basin. Loops of certain areas could be incorporated to get the distance right."

“We are a cycling city and we should be sending the message to L’Étape organisers who are bitterly disappointed by the outcome in the Shoalhaven, not to take their investment to another area. We won't be a roadblock”

“With the UCI cycling championships heading to Wollongong in 2022, this would be a great warm up event to build some excitement and test our capabilities for holding events like these before the big one arrives.”

“We acknowledge that it would be a challenge to develop a new route at short notice, but Wollongong Council could make this happen with the cooperation of Kiama, Southern Highlands and Shellharbour Councils”

Further information: Jess Whittaker 0433324953