And they will also have the opportunity of picking up an additional $35,000 in prizemoney in two new events being promoted by tour director John Craven. The events, a three-part Tattersall's Cup series and a three-day Tour of Sunraysia will act as selection races for the Herald Sun Tour.
The top 10 placegetters in each event will gain entry into the tour. Craven said he'd been concerned for some time that Australian riders did not have the tough conditioning of their international rivals.
The $15,000 Tattersall's Cup will be raced over three days, August 21, 28 and September 4 - a 140km Tour of the Bellarine Peninsula, a 145km Tour of the Goldfields and a 163km Australian King of the Mountains Classic.
The $20,000 Tour of Sunraysia is scheduled for September 13-15. Riders will race a total of 284.6km in six stages.