Cycling Australia confirmed on Thursday that the elite men’s and women’s titles would continue to be contested in Ballarat beyond the existing agreement, which was to end next year.

Ballarat first had the national road titles in 2002, with the Buninyong road race circuit the jewel in the crown and complemented by the time trial.

Other than a two-year stint in Adelaide, the championships have been in Ballarat since.

A major change has been the addition of the criterium, which has developed into a showcase twilight event in the city’s central business district.

Cycling Australia announced the City of Ballarat had committed to hosting the premier event on the national cycling calendar in January until at least 2017.

“This will allow the event to continue to grow in this strong cycling region of Australia.” 

Next year’s championships will be on January 7 to 11, but the schedule for the under-23 and elite men’s and women’s time trials, criteriums and road races are still be announced.

Cycling Australia is planning a launch for next month.

Tour de France winner and former world champion Cadel Evans has indicated he will be returning to Buninyong next year to contest the road race championship for one last time.

It will be one of his last events before retiring from professional cycling.

Evans finished second to Simon Gerrans in this year’s road race, arguably the best seen on the gruelling circuit.

The Australian Cycling Masters Road Championships will also be returning to Ballarat in 2018.

After being in Ballarat this year, the masters heads to Tweed Heads in 2015, New South Wales in 2016 and the Gold Coast in 2017.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au