The road race course in Ballarat and Buninyong has been the site of a green and gold striped jersey battle for nearly 20 years, and AusCycling has announced that although the regional Victorian city will host the event again in 2024 (January 4-7), after that date it will look elsewhere for They announced that they will be looking for a new location.

"Ballarat has been a great host for the Road National Championships for the past 18 years and we value our partnership with the City of Ballarat, Tourism Victoria, Federation University, and other great sponsors," said Kip Kaufman, AusCycling Executive General Manager Sport) responded to an email inquiry from Cycling News.

"AusCycling is focused on how to provide a commercially sustainable calendar of events that will deliver a great experience for riders and fans, pave the way for new talent, and provide a stage for the most elite cyclists to showcase their skills, The review has been underway. [At the Ballarat event, the criterium will be held at the Hot Dog circuit in central Ballarat, the time trial will be held around the Mount Helen campus of Federation University, and the road race will be held on a circuit that starts and ends in the nearby town of Bunyonyong.

The circuit's most notable feature has long been the climb up Mount Buninyon Road, which in 2023 was won by the elites Brody Chapman and Luke Plapp, both solo winners.

Many riders have riding styles that do not suit the Buninyon course, and the odds of winning a national title are always high.

But the plan to change the host city from Ballarat in 2025 does not mean a return to the packed Sturt St criterium, the scorching heat of Buninyong, and the eucalyptus and crowd-pleasing climb.

Ballarat Mayor Des Hudson said in a media release, "We value our working relationship with AusCycling and acknowledge the positive impact this event has had on our city. We understand that the AusCycling board has decided to hold this event in other locations across Australia to reflect the event's national standing." We look forward to returning to Ballarat in the not too distant future."