UCI Bathurst Cycling Classic announces new Courses designed by Australian Cycling legend Mark Renshaw

A LAP of Mount Panorama to start the 100km long course event and a finish line in the CBD are the main features of the new Bathurst Cycling Classic routes to be introduced next March

Bathurst cycling champion Mark Renshaw has designed the new 100km Bathurst 2 Bathurst (B2B) course in the first major change in the event's 15-year history. All previous B2Bs have started in Blayney and ended in Bathurst.

The 2020 Bathurst Cycling Classic will be held over the weekend of March 14-15 with criterium and hill climb events at Mount Panorama on the Saturday and short (50km) and long (100km) course B2B road events on the Sunday.

The B2B is a popular attraction on the cycling calendar and we are confident the changes being introduced for 2020 will encourage ... cyclists to sign up for next year's event.

VIDEO: Mark Renshaw Designs 2020 Bathurst2Bathurst Courses

Bathurst mayor Graeme Hanger "The B2B remains a UCI-accredited event and both the short (50km) and long (100km) course events will start in William Street in the CBD, Long course participants will complete a lap of Mount Panorama before heading to Rockley via Lagoon. Cyclists will then cross to Trunkey Creek Road and return to Bathurst via Georges Plains and Perthville."

"The short course participants will head up William Street and then onto Lloyds Road and out to Lagoon before heading back into Bathurst via Ryans Road, Cow Flat Road, Georges Plains and Perthville."

Cr Hanger said an event village would be set up in the CBD featuring food and beverages for cyclists and supporters to enjoy on the Sunday.

"The B2B is a popular attraction on the cycling calendar and we are confident the changes being introduced for 2020 will encourage both returning and new cyclists to sign up for next year's event," he said.

"The 100km long course will also be a UCI qualifier for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships to be held in Whistler, Canada in September 2020."

More than 2,500 riders will cycle the new Mark Renshaw designed Bathurst 2 Bathurst courses in 2020.Riders can choose from a 100km and 50km course, both of which feature fully closed roads. The 100km course is sanctioned by the Union Cycliste International (UCI) and is one of three Australian qualifying events for the Union Cyclist International UCI Gran Fondo World Championship. The B2B features elite and recreational waves with participation opportunities for cyclists of all abilities.

Entries for the 50km and 100km events are now open. For more information and to register visit www.bathurstcyclingclassic.com.au.