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Following a successful bid by Cycling Australia, Cairns is to host International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike World Cup events in 2014 and 2016.

The news has been welcomed Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey.

Premier Newman congratulated Cycling Australia on its successful bid, saying that the events would create an important tourism and events legacy for Tropical North Queensland.

He stated "(this) announcement is a major coup for Cairns and Queensland (as) it provides a great opportunity to showcase a region renowned for being 'Adventurous by Nature' and will bring economic benefits to the Far North.

"The World Cup events in 2014 and 2016 will be the focus of the world's mountain biking community. Investing in these events means the Far North will have ongoing infrastructure, positioning Queensland as a location of choice for future World Championship Mountain Biking events."

Premier Newman highlighted the fact that mountain biking was a Commonwealth Games and Olympic sport, adding "hosting successful 2014 and 2016 World Cups will clearly demonstrate the state's capacity to execute world-class sporting events ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

"This Government recognises sport tourism as a major contributor to the Queensland economy and we have set ourselves the target of $30 billion in overnight visitor expenditure by 2020."

Minister Stuckey said Cairns had long been seen as an ideal destination for hosting major sporting events, and was blessed with the natural attributes to entice competitors, families and friends to Tropical North Queensland.

She added "the events that were bid for and secured by Cycling Australia with the support of the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, are expected to attract people from 45 countries around the world.

"In addition, a series of participatory Cross Country Marathon (XCM) mountain bike events will be held in the lead up to each World Cup, encouraging cycling enthusiasts from across the country to bring their bikes to Cairns, test themselves on the trails and stay to watch the World Cup events."

The UCI is due to ratify the full suite of UCI MTB events contained in the Cycling Australia bid at the June UCI Board of Management meeting. 

30th April 2013 - CAIRNS TO HOST GLOBAL TOURISM TRADE SHOW IN 2014 

12th September 2012 - MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS FOR HERBERTON RANGE STATE FOREST 

27th May 2012 - IRONMAN CAIRNS SET TO DELIVER MAJOR TOURISM BOOST AHEAD OF DESTINATION Q

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