Like Frank Soto, people who have been around the cycling scene long enough know just how big of a deal the UCI Road World Championships is for Wollongong – and they’re hoping it’s the catalyst for more events of similar stature.
It’s no surprise to learn that SOTO Consulting Engineers managing Director Frank Soto rides a Colnago. The Italian brand is synonymous with cycling purists, the kind of people who see the machine as equal parts art and science. It’s in the small details, from the chrome lugs to the oval, conical, and even crimped tube shapes, to the pioneering materials science to produce one-piece, high-performance carbon fibre frames.
Wollongong’s time to shine
For people like Frank Soto who have cycling in their blood, this month’s UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong is a dream event. With more than 1,000 riders from 70-plus countries and media viewership in the region of 300 million, it truly puts Wollongong on the map when it comes to major events.
“Go back a few years, and if someone had said that this event was even being considered, I would have said, shut up and get out of here! But here it is, and I’m so excited it’s happening here and now.
“The ‘gong has not had any international events like this, and so many people outside cycling have no idea what is coming. Cycling is massive worldwide and having national teams race in a foreign land generates a lot of media and interest worldwide.
“Given how many world champions we generate out of this city – cycling, swimming, hockey, skateboard, ironman – you have to ask why we don’t have more international events. How many world champs do you need?”
To understand Frank Soto’s enthusiasm, you have to go back to his love of bikes and the thrill of racing. That has translated into the business’s long-term sponsorship of the Illawarra Cycling Club.
“I took up racing – not riding. I don’t mind the riding and socialising, but I loved the competitive nature and camaraderie of racing your mates and friends week after week and then going away to race against other regions and clubs. These days I tend to socialise more than race, but I hope to change that again soon!”
Legacy for the sport and the city
UCI event organisers cite a $95 million economic benefit for Wollongong. Before the first race is underway, Wollongong has been awarded the UCI Bike City Label, joining 18 cities worldwide with the label. The Bike City Label is about legacy; all the roadworks and infrastructure needed to support a top-tier event leaves more than temporary disruption and recognises the city’s long-term commitment to delivering an improved cycling experience for everyone.
“I hope there is more acceptance of cycling by the community at large,” Frank Soto says about the legacy this event could leave.
“Cycling is big in this city, and it’s about to become even bigger. People need to embrace the change and accept that being green means fewer cars and congestion and more mobility on bikes by entire families.
“We still have a way to go to be a real cycling city. You need only travel around cities like Melbourne, Geelong, Perth, and Brisbane to see what cycling means to them and their communities. It’s much more than people donning on their Lycra and going to the cafe. It’s a lifestyle choice, and people prefer it once they get started.”
As far as the race goes, Mr Soto couldn’t be more excited.
“I haven’t ridden the route in its entirety, but I have done segments. Doing it once is hard enough, but doing multiple laps will test the riders and create a spectacle not seen here previously. Bring it on!”
