Bendigo Grand Prix/Vic Open Road Championships Postponed

THE 2012 Bendigo Grand Prix/Victorian Open Road Championships have been postponed to ensure that the blue-ribboned event is conducted safely.

The championships, which will double as the inaugural Bendigo Grand Prix, were scheduled for next month, with the time trial to be held Friday, November 9, the road race on Saturday, November 10, and the criterium on Sunday, November 11.

But because the Victoria Police motorbike solo unit is unavailable to assist with rolling road closures for the prestigious road races through a prior commitment, the three-day titles have been postponed.

The proposed new date is January 18, 19 and 20, pending police approval.

Race director John Craven said today he regretted the postponement but stressed that safety was paramount.

“With the full co-operation of the City of Greater Bendigo and Cycling Victoria, we went down several avenues and tried vigorously to retain the event on the original weekend but it did not fit in with the police schedule,” he said.

“The titles need to be conducted in total safety and without the help of the police solos for the road race, we would not have been able to fulfill that crucial goal.

“We look forward to working with the Victoria Police on the proposed new date.”

Craven believes that holding the championships in mid-January will potentially work in the event’s favour as it will follow on from the Australian National Road Championships in Ballarat (January 9 – 13).

“There is a strong chance that a number of the country’s top riders will remain in Victoria and try to add a Victorian title to their cycling resumes,” he said.

“It could be a huge fortnight for cycling in regional Victoria.”