Eight-time Tour de France stage winner Barry Hoban, Georgia Baker, John O'May, Kate O'May (front), Martin Quinn and Ken Gilmore prepare for the Western Tiers Cycle Challenge.
There are changes afoot for the 2013 Western Tiers Cycle Challenge.
Now in its eighth year, the ride will offer altered courses to entice novice riders.
The changes were announced at yesterday's event launch at Prospect by race director John O'May.
``The 160-kilometre race has become a 170km race, and we've introduced a 100km race to complement the 120km course,'' O'May said.
The courses will introduce more slow country roads to avoid rider build-up and increase safety levels for the March 24 event.
``If you're new to road riding, and racing, it can be quite daunting to be riding half a dozen abreast, or have a pack of faster cyclists zoom past you,'' O'May said.
``Hopefully [the changes] will make the event more attractive for people new to riding.''
O'May took the opportunity to introduce the event's 2013 endorser, eight-stage Tour de France winner Barry Hoban.
The event is also a major fund-raiser for the New Horizons Club and the Rotary Club of Central Launceston.
Last year $16,000 was raised for the charities from the entry fees of 480 riders.
Registrations for the event are open for all sections.
Western Tiers Cycle Challenge
WHEN: Sunday, March 24.
REGISTRATIONS: Registrations are open for all courses: 170km, 120km, 100km, 76km, 52km, 24km and corporate team challenge.
DETAILS: www.tascyclechallenge.org.au.