Sport
18 October, 2026
Pedal power helps drive regional economy
More than 2500 cyclists – most of them visitors – have saddled up for the 10th annual Bowral Classic.
More than 2500 cyclists – most of them visitors – have saddled up for the 10th annual Bowral Classic.
Labor MP Mark Buttigieg estimates the event injects $3 million into the economy every year.
Mr Buttigieg was at the starting line in Bong Bong Street on Sunday morning representing NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Stephen Kamper.
He said events like the Bowral Classic formed an important part of the NSW Government’s plan to increase visitor expenditure in the state by 40 per cent to $91 billion by 2035.
Almost half of that – 48 per cent or $44 billion – is expected to be spent in regional areas such as the Southern Highlands.
Mr Buttigieg was joined on the starting line by Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan and Wingecarribee Shire mayor Erin Foley, who helped set riders on their way.
James Yaffa, founder of the Bowral Classic, said he was extremely proud of what had been achieved over the past 10 years.
He said he had set out to create an event that rivalled some of the great European rides and the Bowral Classic had evolved into a world-class event attracting riders from across the country and from overseas.
While the temperature was a chilly 8 degrees at 6.30am on Sunday morning when the first riders set off, Mr Yaffa described the conditions as ‘balmy’ compared to 2016 when the temperature was just 2 degrees.
This year’s event featured three different rides – a 150km Maxi Classic, a 120km Challenge Classic and an 85km Roulers Classic – taking cyclists through a number of the area’s towns and villages including Robertson, Fitzroy Falls, Moss Vale, Bundanoon, Exeter, Sutton Forest, Glenquarry and Kangaloon.
All three events concluded at the Event Village at Loseby Park with proud family members there to cheer the cyclists home.
This year’s event has raised more than $70,000 for charities across Australia, including official charity partner Little Legs Foundation and RELOVE.
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