Cycling Australia revealed the 2013 Road National Championships unveiled
The much awaited routes for the Australian Road National Championships have finally been revealed with significant changes.
The road course is designed to suit both, the domestic and international riders and is expected to give good competition.
Closed roads are chosen for the time trial events and are scheduled early on the championships with the criterium circuit shifted in to the centre of the Balart’s CBD.
Matt Goss attended the launch ceremony of the Championships and forwarded the change of routes suggestion.
"It's a tough course at Buninyong, no doubt, but it's a course where you always get a good winner," said Goss.
"This new course opens the door a little more for the sprinters so I think the 2013 race is going to be an open and exciting one," Goss added.
Several international cyclists including Mark Renshaw, Graeme Brown and Robbie McEwen also criticised the road race loop track around Buninyong for being too monotonous.
The Australian National Road Race Championships are held annually for three different categories Men, Women and Under 23 event.
The event started back in 1950 with Keith Rowley, Harold Johnson and Stan Bonney securing the gold, silver and bronze.
Simon Gerrans and Rohan Dennis claimed the Elite Men and Junior categories of the most recent version of the race.
Race Director Sean Muir noted, “The new section of the road race course refreshes the event for participants and spectators alike".
"Starting the road race on a flatter circuit will allow a more even playing field and will increase the incentive for riders to 'try their luck' off the front to make a break and stay away”.
The final schedule of the Australian National Championships 2013 is as under,
Wednesday 9 January – Time trials - Lake Wendouree, Ballarat (u-23 men, 29km), (Elite and u-23 women, 29km), (Elite men, 37km)
Thursday 10 January – Criteriums - Sturt Street Ballarat CBD (u-23 men, 33km), (Elite and u-23 women, 33km), (Elite men, 44km).
Friday 11 January – Rest day & Championship Dinner
Saturday 12 January – u-23 men’s road race, Buninyong (137.6km: 2 big circuits - 56km, 8 small circuits - 81.6km).
Saturday 12 January – Women’s road race, Buninyong (107km: 2 big circuits – 56km, 5 small circuits – 51km).
Sunday 13 January – Men’s road race, Buninyong (195.6km: 3 big circuits – 83.4km, 11 small circuits – 112.2km).
Sunday 13 January – Amy’s Ride, Buninyong (20km, 70km or 100km).
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