All of the South should get an economic benefit from the hosting of the world junior cycling championships in Invercargill in 2012 but the timing of the event means the velodrome at Mosgiel is unlikely to be used for preparation.
Cycling's international ruling body, UCI, awarded the championships to Invercargill at the weekend, and Cycling Southland president Stephen Canney said he was not surprised to receive the good news.
The event is expected to attract up to 400 riders from 30 countries, and will be held in August, just before the London Olympic Games.
Canney said Cycling Southland had done a lot of preparation for its bid to to the UCI, including national and international backing.
He felt the Southland cycling community had the experience and support staff to provide a high-class event.
"On a global scale, we've had a lot of experience in running international events. In the three years we've been opened we've run five events of this calibre and we're just about to host the Oceania championships," he said.
The Oceania championships will be staged in November this year.
Canney said with the majority of cyclists likely to come from the northern hemisphere, they would look to spend some time before the championship in New Zealand in training and preparing.
Junior cyclists are aged under 19.
With junior championships, many athletes brought their family with them so that would give a boost to the economy.
Families would also most probably spend more time in New Zealand after the event, as many of the cyclists and families would want to see more of the country after travelling so far.
The event was before the Olympics and he said there would be wide media coverage.
He said Invercargill should be bulging at the seams but should have enough accommodation to house all competitors and their support crews. The championships are in August, to coincide with the end of the cycling season in the northern hemisphere.
The winter timing of the event meant outdoor tracks such as the one at Mosgiel would not be used for preparation but the Invercargill facility, which cost $10 million and was opened in May 2006, was big enough to house both training and racing.
Canney said the Invercargill velodrome was recognised as the fastest 250m indoor track at sea level in the world and was getting faster.
Bike NZ chief executive Kieran Turner said the event would provide the ultimate platform for New Zealand's emerging cycling talent.
