Tuesday, 3 November 2020:

CADEL EVANS acknowledges the fans after the Cadel Evans Ocean Road Race in Melbourne, Australia.

Australia's road cycling championships are set to be raced in February next year, defying the recent string of domestic cancellations in the sport due to COVID-19.

AusCycling announced on Tuesday the national championships would be held one month later than usual from February 3-7 in Ballarat after organisers determined they could provide a COVID-safe environment.

The commitment comes just two days after Adelaide's Tour Down Under and Victoria's Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race - Australian cycling's two biggest annual events which were due to be held just weeks earlier in January - were cancelled because of health and safety concerns.

In August, Victoria's Herald Sun Tour cancelled its 2021 edition - all three events now planning for 2022 returns.

AusCycling's acting joint CEO Steve Drake is confident the one-month delay will give riders enough time to prepare after the revised 2020 cycling season's late finish in the coronavirus-ravaged northern hemisphere.

"After such a challenging year we are excited to be able to host the Federation University Road National Championships," he said.

"We look forward to the championships providing a positive impact for Ballarat and the cycling community as part of an exciting domestic summer of cycling."

The five-day event will draw hundreds of riders from around Australia and follow the track nationals still scheduled for December.

AAP