Thanks to funding from the Victorian Government and sponsor Jayco, the Jayco Herald Sun Tour’s future has been secured for another three years. The 2.1 event will be held between February 4 and 8 in 2015.

“I am pleased to announce the Victorian Government will extend its funding for a further three years to 2017 which is a reflection of its importance to our State as a great sporting event and also a fantastic economic generator for our regions in particular,” Premier Denis Napthine said of the tour.

“The Tour receives global media coverage and follows a route that promotes Victoria’s spectacular tourist attractions, generating economic benefits for Melbourne and regional Victoria."

“Last year with a new date and an opening prologue in the city centre the event reached new heights," said chair of the race’s organizing committee, Tom Salom.
 

"In 2015 we aim to build further on those foundations with the strong support of the Victorian Government, with Jayco back on board as a co-naming rights sponsor, and the continued recognition as a UCI 2.1 level event.
 

“The ‘Sun Tour’ has been part of our DNA for over 60 years. It has created new generations of Australian cycling champions and is unique in that it combines the best international riders with the best teams and riders in Australia which contributes significantly to the development of our rising cycling stars."

Two of Orica Greenedge’s star riders, Simon Gerrans, 2014 Australian champion and Simon Clarke, 2014 Sun Tour winner, both weighed in on the historic Australian race at the presentation.

“It’s a fantastic way of setting up my European season, to start the year in good shape off the back of some great racing in Australia,” two-time winner and Victorian Gerrans said of the Sun Tour.

“This is where I came from and this is where it all started for me.  I think it’s important to give back to these races and give these young kids and cycling fans that watch us every year on the television the opportunity to see us in the flesh and see what we do."

“Defending a title is always a bit of extra pressure, but we have a great team with ORICA-GreenEDGE and we will field another good team and we will be ready to defend,” said Clarke.

The race begins with an evening 2.1km prologue and is followed the next day by the race’s longest stage, the 152km Stage 1 journey from Mount Macedon, passing Hanging Rock before finishing in Bendigo. 

Stage 2 is a shorter 120km route taking riders from the Bendigo Velodrome, passing the Heathcote-Graytown National Park before crossing the Goulburn River into Nagambie.
 

The 148km third stage route, on Saturday 7 February, showcases the Nagambie Lakes Wineries as riders loop around Mitchelton Winery, where the stage will begin before heading back to Nagambie.
 

The final 125km stage will return to the popular Arthurs Seat on the Mornington Peninsula, with a record crowd expected following the cancellation of the stage last year due to extreme weather. This stage features a three lap circuit of the gruelling climb, with a mountain top finish to play an important role in determining the tour winner.