Cycling Australia has announced a five-person assessment team to evaluate the viability of changes to the Ballarat national championships courses. The regional Victorian city recently extended its contract with CA through to despite calls for a move to a different location. Consideration for change includes the impact on riders and spectators, alongside logistical and financial constraints. Heading up the assessment team is Orica-Scott`s Mat Hayman, Wiggle-High5`s sports director Donna Rae-Szalinski, two-time criterium winner Kimberley Wells, now retired local rider Pat Shaw and CA`s recently appointed general manager of sport, Kipp Kaufmann.ADVERTISEMENT During the panel`s May meeting, over 12 potential courses were identified with course reconnaissance to follow in the coming months. `While there are obvious constraints to where the Nationals can be run, and while the course is a great Championship course, I think it`s good to explore more options,` said Hayman. `Traditionally a Championship is run on a variety of terrains and courses making sure that all types of riders have a chance to be crowned champion and wear that very special jersey.` While there have been changes and modifications made the criterium, time trial and road race courses since Ballarat first held the championships in 2006, the Mt Buninyong climb has been a feature of the championships. The climb is the best-attended location on the 10km circuit with numerous riders explaining the atmosphere is akin to anywhere in Europe. A statement reiterated by Hayman.
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