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BMC Software Australian Open Road Championships
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, January 15-18, 2004
Map
Course Description
By Jeff Jones
The circuit used for the men's and women's road races at the Australian national titles is a 10 kilometre loop, starting and finishing in Warrenheip St, Buninyong (approximately 10 km from Ballarat in Victoria). The women have to complete 10 laps (100 km) of the circuit while the men are required to do 18 (180 km).
The Buninyong circuit should be described as "very selective". It starts with a fairly tough 3 km climb each lap up Mt. Buninyong via the Midland Highway and Mt. Buninyong Road. The climb steepens near the top and this is often where key breakaway moves are made. Once they reach the top, the riders veer left along Yankee Flat Road, which undulates downhill until the left turn onto Gear Road - a short, slightly uphill section. Another left onto Hendersons Line Road/Fisken Road and the real descent begins. This is a fast, curvy run through the trees, with a sharp left hander at the bottom onto Geelong Road/Warrenheip St. There follows another kilometre or so of downhill before the riders reach the finishing straight, which is ever so slightly uphill.
All in all, the circuit favours a small group or a lone rider staying away to contest the finish.
