Road racing in Australia faces many challenges. This is a message we’ve heard consistently from members, clubs, officials, and event organisers.
Across the country, we are hearing that road racing participation is declining and fewer club races are being staged.
At the same time, the cost and complexity of delivering safe events on public roads is rising quickly, driven by traffic management, permits, policing and insurance, alongside increasing compliance demands and the loss of traditional venues in some areas.
Add in volunteer fatigue, a crowded calendar and rider safety concerns, and it’s clear these aren’t isolated issues: they’re systemic pressures on the road cycling ecosystem.
To respond, AusCycling is launching an AusCycling Road Taskforce – a dedicated project team established to develop evidence-based recommendations to support a sustainable and thriving road racing ecosystem in Australia.
Leadership and oversight
The Taskforce will be led by Shane Mattiske, an experienced sports executive and former President of Randwick Botany Cycling Club.
The work will be overseen by the AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner, EGM of Transformation Nick Hannan, and EGM of Clubs and Community Enhancement Kipp Kaufmann – supported by a steering group that will guide progress and ensure alignment with organisational priorities.
“Road racing is a really important part of our cycling landscape,” said Mr Mattiske. “I know clubs, officials and event organisers are putting an incredible amount of energy into delivering road racing despite many challenges.
“I see this project as an important initiative focusing on what can be done to create a more sustainable road racing system for the future.
“This Taskforce is about listening properly, being clear-eyed about the issues, and then focusing on practical improvements that can make a difference.”
What the Taskforce will focus on
The AusCycling Road Taskforce will build a clear picture of what’s happening on the ground and why, including:
- participation and engagement trends, including evolving rider expectations and event behaviours;
- operational and financial sustainability, including the rising costs of delivering events;
- compliance and regulation, including permits and traffic management requirements;
- volunteer and workforce capacity, including retention and workload pressures; and
- system factors such as calendar clashes, safety concerns, and access to suitable venues.
The primary output will be a set of evidence-based options and recommendations including clear implementation pathways, potential pilots, resource implications and measures of success.
A genuine, wide consultation process
Like AusCycling’s previous major reviews, this work will be shaped by structured consultation and external comparisons, combining feedback and data with learnings from other sports and cycling nations.
During March and April 2026, the Taskforce will undertake a significant consultation process, including:
- a national survey for clubs, members, officials and stakeholders; and
- targeted focus groups with stakeholder segments (including clubs of different sizes, state offices, officials, commercial organisers and riders).
The Taskforce will also engage with key partners that influence road event delivery, including relevant government and road agencies, land managers, and other organisations involved in road event approvals and safety.
Focusing where we can deliver
Road cycling’s challenges have built up over decades, and no single project can fix everything at once.
The Taskforce will take a prioritisation approach: identifying the changes AusCycling can control directly and implement quickly, alongside longer-term reforms that may require influencing governments, regulators and industry partners.
AusCycling will also consider opportunities to evolve the sport and reflect the unchangeable underlying trends that impact road cycling.
“We can’t promise every issue will be solved overnight. But we can promise we’ll listen, be transparent about what we’re hearing, and focus on practical improvements that support clubs and organisers to keep racing happening,” said AusCycling CEO Marne Fechner.
The Taskforce’s recommendations are due to be submitted to the AusCycling Board in July 2026.
Photos: Con Chronis and James Raison