Geelong West Town Hall to become Italian cycling headquarters

Azzuri

The Geelong West Town Hall will become the official Italian team headquarters during the 2010 UCI Road World Championships.

Whenever Italians compete at an international event such as the World Cup or the UCI Road World Championships they create their own little slice of Italy, known as the Spazio Azzurri or blue space, named after the famous blue jerseys worn by the Italian national team.

Claudio Parente Events Manager at the Italian Chamber of Commerce is responsible for setting up the Spazio Azzurri at the Geelong West Town Hall.

“Spectators will be able to visit the Spazio Azzurri free of charge – it will be like an Italian festival every day with roving entertainers playing traditional music, Italian wine and food, and a number of al fresco areas.

The Italians are expected to bring approximately 75 people to Geelong for the 2010 UCI Road World Championships including competitors, officials and support staff.

The team will conduct all its official activities from Geelong West Town Hall including media interviews and conferences.

Up to 100 additional people will be involved in the Spazio Azzurri including exhibitors.

Mr Parente said people would have opportunities to meet the Italian team during the week including a gala dinner which would be open to the public.

Mr Parente said five members of the Italian Cycling Federation visited Geelong in October last year to inspect the race course and the team’s facilities including local hotels and the Geelong West Town Hall.

“They were very happy - very impressed with our wonderful city and what we have to offer,” Mr Parente said.

Mr Parente said the Italian team were impressed with the variety of scenery in Geelong and the road conditions on the course.

“Geelong West is the perfect location for the Italian team headquarters given its long history as a multicultural hub and the Spazia Azzurri will complement activities of the Pakington Street traders including the many excellent cafes and restaurants in the area,” said City of Greater Geelong Mayor Cr John Mitchell.

“There is no doubt the Italian national team is very good at engaging with the public whenever it competes on the world stage and we can certainly expect a fantastic carnival atmosphere in Geelong West thanks to their thorough planning for the event,” said Cr Mitchell.

“I encourage other national groups and traders to follow the Italian lead and create team hubs in Geelong during this once in a lifetime event,” said the Mayor.

There is a precedent for the 2010 Spazio Azzurri - the Italians based themselves in Geelong prior to the World Swimming Championships in 2007.

“This demonstrates Geelong’s suitability as a major events destination and illustrates our strategy of building on previous successes to secure more and more prestigious international events,” said Cr Mitchell.