THE Albury-Wodonga Cycling Club has parted with tradition and brought forward the John Woodman Memorial Cycle Classic to Sunday.
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The club's committee rubbed stamped the move from late July in a bid to give riders better conditions.
"The warmer weather was one of the main reasons," committeeman Charly McMillan said.
"It's really hard for people to focus on training in the dark, cold and rain as well.
"Everyone is coming off a lot of summer training so the riders are better prepared for the race.
"March-April appealed to us."
The 33rd annual event has attracted 76 riders with Albury cycling star Neil Van der Ploeg to lead the Border charge.
New Zealand's Morgan Smith shapes as another threat.
In the women, Rebecca Wiasack, Katherine McInerney and Maddi Wright are likely to be in the mix.
"There are some good riders, a real mix of talent," McMillan said.
"It's not as strong as previous years but that comes down to other races clashing.
"We will look to build it up in coming years."
Last year's winner Ben Dyball is unable to defend his title due to commitments overseas.
The race starts at 10am from Wagga and weaves its way through Mangoplah, Cookardinia, Morven, Culcairn, Walla and Jindera before finishing at Lavington Hall in Urana Road.
"Hopefully people come out for a look," McMillan said.
The 136-kilometre race is named after John Woodman, a renowned Border cyclist who tragically passed away after a road accident that happened while he was training in 1986.