Bendigo District Cycling Club has cancelled the rescheduled early October Rob Vernon Memorial after Sunday's announcement of a delayed return to community sport.
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Also impacted are the club championships that were originally planned to be held at Harcourt the following week.
The Rob Vernon Memorial is a 99km road race, one of the most coveted handicap events of its type which attracts riders from across Victoria.
"It's certainly frustrating, especially as in the past junior sport has been categorised separately to seniors, but now everything seems to to come under the same blanket so won't see anyone racing until November," BDCC's Darren Casey said.
"We thought about reapplying for a permit to hold Rob Vernon later this year before Christmas, but lengthy processes are an issue and there are also plenty of other events already pencilled on the calendar at the same time.
"However, the Rob Vernon will be going ahead next year and as it stands our first event back once we get the green light will be a gravel race on Sunday November 14."
The club will look to hold more future races on gravel tracks due to the increasing popularity of the racing style in addition to there being fewer complications.
"There's definitely less hassle as there's no major roads involved which makes it easier to acquire permits," Casey said.
"It's a style of racing that's increasing in popularity and it's something different for our riders.
"After the announcement on Sunday we made the fast decision that our first race when we're back in November will be on gravel out at the Sutton Grange Harcourt area."
After months of uncertainty for riders who have continued rigorous training programs, the main goal is to hold club championships in December, on the same circuit used for the recent 2021 Merv Dean Memorial Tour.
"With consultation with club president Garry Pontelandolfo we are working with permits to have the BDCC road championships for seniors and juniors on the Harcourt Kermesse circuit on Sunday December 5," Casey said.
"More than anything we want to be able to hold our club championships, it's the one event we want to be able to salvage the most.
"Our aim is to have it before Christmas as we want to give our local riders the opportunity to race as for months they haven't had the chance.
"They've put in endless hours of training but haven't been afforded the opportunity to actually race."
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