The Mudgee Classic cycling event has been postponed until May next year, yet another casualty of the increasing unease surrounding COVID-19.
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The new scheduled date for the Mudgee Classic is May 2, 2021.
In a media release, Bicycling Australia said the delay was to keep in line with current government legislation around large-scale events.
"It is with deepest regrets that Yaffa Media and Bicycling Australia have announced that the 2020 Mudgee Classic has been postponed due to increasing threat posed by Global pandemic COVID-19,"
"After careful deliberation and discussions with official government bodies the decision has been made to postpone the popular Gran Fondo to protect the health and safety of all riders and spectators and to comply with strict legislation regarding large-scale events.
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"We were buoyed by the energy, interest and sheer volume of registrations in the event's first year...If we don't see you in 2020, we look forward to hosting you at the 2021 Mudgee Classic," Mudgee Tourism CEO Cara George said in a statement.
Mudgee resident Ken Sutcliffe, who was a big proponent of the event said it was a disappointing outcome.
"It's [Mudgee Classic] just one of many that's been affected by this virus. You can be as disappointed and frustrated as anything but we're all in this together and that's just the way it is. It is what it is," he said.
"We can't do much about it, I mean, bike riders might descend on Mudgee in May, maybe just to go for a ride or something, but not as an event. It's up to them whether they want to visit us as tourists...
"There's a lot of emotion that's involved in everything that's happening right now. For every answer you get, there's about three more questions or three more negatives and that's just the way it is because we're basically dealing with an unknown.
"I hope it doesn't change the community that we have from the point of view of selflessness and all that sort of stuff.
"Everything about it is disappointing for everybody."
Bicycling Australia has advised that the current registration will automatically roll over to next years event. However, if you cannot make the event full refunds are available.
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