Set to conclude on September 25, more than 1,000 riders from over 70 countries are expected in New South Wales, with 13 titles on offer.

Vuelta a España winner Remco Evenepoel and Tokyo 2020 road silver medallist Wout van Aert will be the Belgian stars looking to prove a point.

Three-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and the Netherlands’ Mathieu van der Poel stand out in a strong men’s elite field.

The 2022 Giro d’Italia champion Jai Hindley and 13-time Grand Tour stage winner Michael Matthews will be the home hopes in Australia.

Two-time reigning champion Filippo Ganna of Italy will be the man to beat in the individual time trial.

Among women, Tokyo 2020 time-trial gold medallist Annemiek van Vleuten of the Netherlands has been on a sensational run this season.

She won the Giro d’Italia Donne, Tour de France Femmes and Ceratizit Challenge by Vuelta a España and will be hoping for a strong finish.

The 40-year-old already has three golds, three silvers and two bronzes at World Championships.

Compatriots Marianne Vos in road race, and Ellen van Dijk in time trial will be her main competitors.

Road race defending champion Elisa Balsamo of Italy and compatriot and two-time Olympic medallist Elisa Longo Borghini are also string contenders for medal positions in Wollongong.