CYCLING Australia have confirmed the re-schedule date of the Herald Sun Tour.

It will move to February 2011 with the 58th race to be held from February 8-13.

Cycling Australia CEO Graham Fredericks told cyclingnews.com that there were three main elements to be considered when reaching the decision.

“In arriving at this decision the Board addressed three key objectives, firstly to protect the achievements of the Santos Tour Down Under; secondly to protect the integrity of Australian track cycling, namely the Australian Track Championships and thirdly to retain the Jayco Herald Sun Tour on the UCI calendar and restore the event to its previous stature and profile,” said Fredericks.

“Cycling is a growth sport in Australia both in terms of participation and profile and on the world stage Australia is a cycling success story,” Fredericks added. “Both the Santos Tour Down Under and the Jayco Herald Sun Tour have been major contributors to this success as has the crucial investment by corporate partners as well as Federal, State and Local governments.”

He said there would be a redevelopment of the Oceania cycling calendar.

“Therefore the Board has identified the redevelopment of the Oceania road calendar from mid-February through to April each year as a key priority,” he said.

“With this in mind Cycling Australia plans to work with the organisers of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and other events in Australia and New Zealand to develop an exciting series of racing that will attract teams from Australia and New Zealand but will also showcase talent from Europe, Asian and North America.”