After the conclusion of this year’s road titles in January, an event which Bathurst cyclists attended, it marked the end of Ballarat’s contracted period as host.

As such Cycling Australia considered a number of venues, including Bathurst, as a new host for the annual titles.

However, in the end Cycling Australia opted to award Ballarat hosting rights for the next three years.

“It’s always tempting to say ‘Well you could move it around the country and hopefully we get people bidding for these’, but this was the best deal,” Cycling Australia chairman Steve Bracks told CyclingTips.

“There was testing of other places in Australia — particularly in New South Wales — where we could have this.”

Professional road cyclist, Bathurst’s Mark Renshaw, was disappointed his home city will not get the chance to host just yet.

But one thing he is hopeful of is a change to the course on which the elite men’s road race is conducted. The version used in recent years has certainly not suited sprinters like Renshaw.

“So proud of Bathurst Council and Mount Panorama to give it a shot. Would have been awesome for Bathurst,” Renshaw tweeted.

“Let's hope that Cycling Australia step up and change the course. Even guys that are suited to the race are over it.”

A review of the famous Mount Buninyong circuit is currently underway.