Melbourne to host worlds?

Australia may get a much deserved confirmation of its status as a world cycling power by hosting the UCI World Road Championships in 2010, according to the Melbourne Herald Sun. The Australians have been dominating track events on the world stage for years - Melbourne hosted the UCI World Track Championships in 2004 - but the Tour de France podium finish of Cadel Evans has given the country's road program an even higher status.

The 2010 World Championships bid is being headed up by the Victorian State Government's major events unit, and a final decision will be made when the UCI meets at this year's event in Stuttgart at the end of September. The Worlds were last held outside of Europe in 2003 when they took place in Hamilton, Canada.

According to the Herald Sun, Bahrain is Melbourne's only competitor, and its bid is under question as the promoter is facing legal problems.

Potential courses include the Geelong circuit which makes up the annual women's World Cup, but the Botanic Gardens area, site of the Commonwealth Games road race in 2006, has been deemed too easy for the Worlds.