A SOUTH-WEST cyclist with international experience believes an early autumn Melbourne to Warrnambool “wouldn’t be the worst”, but has concerns it could clash with the European summer circuit.
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The Standard reported on Thursday Cycling Australia was planning to move the 122-year-old race from its traditional October slot to an April date, meaning the race will not take place in 2018.
Warrnambool’s Matt Lane told The Standard many high-calibre international cyclists were already based in Europe around April.
“It’s not the worst time of year, because it would flow on from the Grafton to Inverell (Cycle Classic) in April,” he said.
“But it could be a bit late. I know when I was racing overseas you’d always be over there before April.
“In October, it’s kind of at the end of the season and a lot of the guys are coming back from Europe in really fit condition.”
Lane said he was disappointed with the decision to move the race.