Jayco Herald Sun Tour organisers bring start time forward to avoid worst of heat wave

TOMORROW'S heatwave will force Australia's best road cyclists to get out of bed two hours earlier.

TOMORROW'S heatwave will force Australia's best road cyclists to get out of bed two hours earlier.

Stage one of the Herald Sun Tour, following today's opening prologue in Williamstown, will start at 9.30am instead of 11am to protect the riders from the worst of the day's conditions, with temperatures expected to soar into the 40s.

Cycling's international rules do not allow for races to be conducted when it's that hot, Tour director John Trevorrow said.

The 147.7km stage starts at Rupertswood Mansion in Sunbury and finishes at Bendigo's Tom Flood Sports Centre.

Full list of Tour riders

It should take the 176 riders about four hours to complete, including two challenging hill climbs at Mt Macedon and One Tree Hill.

"It's going to be a challenge getting the race done and dusted without the heat becoming too much of an issue but we are confident the riders can get it done," said Trevorrow, a three-time winner of the Tour.

The race will finish at Arthur's Seat on the Mornington Peninsula on Sunday. 

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