L’Étape Australia may yet come to Kiama, with the organisers of the major Tour de France cycling event floating the idea of a new route starting in Wollongong and ending in Kiama.

“It is still early days, and nothing is confirmed as we still have a lot of people and agencies to talk to,” says the Race Director Florent Malézieux.

“We would love to have the race in this area, and so far all the preliminary discussions have been very positive.”

The date of Sunday 27 November this year has been mooted in preliminary discussions, with a three-year commitment to the route.

“They are very appreciative of the support they had from the Kiama community for the original event,” says the immediate past Chair of Destination Kiama’s Advisory Board, Councillor Matt Brown (the role has yet to be filled for this term by the new Council).

“Kiama will still be able to be the predominant host, and there won’t be the road issues there were by us being the start and finish of the event.

Kiama may have a chance to Yellow Up again

“It is really exciting these talks have progressed to this extent.

“There was a lot of excitement from riders to do a course on the South Coast, and everyone was disappointed when Shoalhaven Council pulled the plug and it didn’t go ahead,” says Matt Brown.

Cycling is already being heavily promoted in the Illawarra, with the 2022 UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Road World Championships being in Wollongong held from 18 to 25 September.