WITH less than 10 days before the Jayco Herald Sun Tour hits the streets of Bendigo, the city has begun its preparations to host a leg of the major cycling event.
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Beginning at Mount Macedon the opening stage of the race will see top cyclists pass Hanging Rock before finishing in the Bendigo CBD.
The stage will include the Frank McCaig Memorial sprint, when riders race onto Pall Mall for the first time.
McCaig, who passed away in 2009, made an outstanding contribution to cycling in Bendigo and across the state.
Stage two of the race is 118km race from the Tom Flood Sports Centre through to Nagambie.
City of Greater Bendigo mayor Peter Cox said Bendigo was a cycling city and that the tour would be a great chance for the region's residents to experience.
"It’s great for local sports fans and cycling enthusiasts to be able to witness both the finish of stage one and the start of stage two in our great city," he said.
“The 2015 tour is sure to create a lot of interest among local residents and Bendigo is excited to host such an integral part of the 2015 Tour.
"I encourage residents to come along and experience this great spectator experience."
Defending Tour champion Simon Clarke is set to gear up for the Tour.
He will lead the Australian UCI team.
Bendigo's Jack Haig, Chris Hamilton Robbie Hucker and Barkers Creek rider Lachlan Norris will be among the local contingent competing.
Teams from Great Britain, Italy, Suuth Africa, New Zealand and the United Sates are also set to join Australia's best at the start line.
There will be some minor road closures throughout the Bendigo leg of the Tour on February 5.
Pall Mall, View Street, Barnard Street, Park Road and Bridge Street will be closed for parts of the day.
The Tour will conclude on February 8.
