The club has run one of the state zone finals for over eight years under the leadership of race director and junior road coordinator Chris Liston.

Racing will be conducted at the Victoria Park circuit this Friday and is scheduled as the last event before the state school championships in Bendigo on October 21.

“We are very excited that the event will be on our newly-refurbished hot mix short 1.1km circuit in Vic Park,” Liston said.

“It will allow all the competitors to see everybody more often and it will give the licensed race groups access to a very competitive, great new surface that should produce a fantastic spectacle.”

Friday’s carnival is open for under-11 girls and boys to under-19s.

The top riders in all age classifications gain a qualifying entry into the state championships.

Liston said there was always a novice category in each division, with those riders encouraged to bring or try road bikes. Some of these bikes are available to loan on the day.

“Appropriate sports attire and a helmet and we can get the kids racing on a closed road circuit environment. The children love giving it a go and racing,” he said.

Part of Victoria Park will be closed to traffic on Friday. The cost of each event is $25.30 and entries will close on Wednesday. Late entries will be accepted on the day, however they attract a $35 fee.

To enter, visit entryboss.cc/calendar/vscc or the Cycling Victoria website at vic.cycling.org.au.

Ballarat will also host the 2018 Victorian Road Championships this weekend.

The individual time trial titles will take place on Saturday, with the road races the following day.

More than 200 riders are anticipated to compete in the carnival across masters, elite and para-cycling divisions.

The event is a lead-up to the Masters Road Nationals in East Gippsland between October 18-21.