THE John Woodman Memorial Cycle Classic has been abandoned this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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After originally being postponed until November, officials recently made the gut-wrenching decision to call the race off amid fears a smaller field would be unable to cover costs.
Travel restrictions were a major concern for organisers.
It will be the first time in 35 years the popular Wagga to Albury road race hasn't been staged.
Race stalwart Greg Featonby described the cancellation as a huge disappointment but said organisers had no option.
"A lot of our Albury-Wodonga Cycle Club members and helpers live in Wodonga which makes it tough," Featonby said.
"We get a lot of our entries from Shepparton, Benalla, Wangaratta, Bendigo and Melbourne and guys don't want to travel out of the hot spots in Sydney either.
"A decision had to be made now for permits and things like that and unfortunately things just got too difficult with COVID-19."
Organisers are hoping to secure a race date in April or May next year.
The road race took on the name of The John Woodman Memorial after the talented Border cyclist was killed during a training session at Table Top in October, 1986.
