MISSING out on the main prize, Greater Shepparton’s BMX World Cup was recognised as a State Finalist in the Australian Event Awards.
Nearly 200 riders from 26 different countries competed in the event, which attracted more than 3000 visitors to the World Cup across three days of competition at the start of February this year.
The riders, their support crew, friends and family included an impressive 500-plus international travellers who stayed in the region for more than a week, amounting to an economic impact of $3.47M.
Council added to the hype around the region by holding a cycling festival which included the opening round of the BMX Australia National Series on the Friday evening and the Bikes and Bites festival at Victoria Park Lake on the Saturday evening which drew a crowd of 4,000 people.
Further to the programed events, a BMX legacy development program in conjunction with BMX Victoria, Shepparton BMX club and local schools will be rolled out post COVID-19.
Council’s director sustainable development, Geraldine Christou, said the region should be proud to be recognised on such a big stage.
“Council has committed to investing and developing our sporting facilities helping building our region’s brand and putting us on the map as a major event capital of regional Australia, and the hosting of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup further enhanced this reputation,” she said.
“We are so proud to have been recognised as a state finalist in the Australian Event Awards for what was a significant coup for not only Greater Shepparton but also Victoria and Australia”
