A snap lockdown across South East Queensland, Australia has created a long casualty list of events, including the third edition of the Noosa Classic Gran Fondo bike race. 

Originally scheduled for 15 August, the organiser, James Yaffa, announced cancellation of the amateur cycling race and tentatively rescheduled the event for 10 October 2021. 

“It is with great sadness we announce the third edition of the Noosa Classic has been postponed from August 15, 2021 to October 10, 2021. We are determined to be back stronger, bigger and better than ever in October this year,” Yaffa wrote in a press release.

The decision was made due to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak and new lockdown restrictions affecting South East Queensland.  

For the most part Australian cycling events have dodged COVID-19, until now. With the rapid spread of Delta variant in a large unvaccinated population, more restrictions, lockdowns and race cancellations are expected, just as the cycling season gets underway.

Despite assurances from Prime Minister Scott Morrison that Australia was at “the front of the queue” for COVID-19 vaccines, the country stumbled and wasted precious time jabbing arms. As a nation, Australia has one of the lowest vaccination rates among developed countries with only 23 percent of the nation’s eligible population fully vaccinated.

Riders registered for the August Noosa Classic will automatically be transferred to the new tentative 10 October 2021 event date.   Riders unable to make the new date may defer entry to Noosa Classic 2022 or receive a refund after paying a $25 “admin fee.”

PHOTOS: Noosa Classic

Worldwide Gran Fondo Calendar