Stage One - The Gaps Loop. Saturday, December 5th.

This stage takes riders from Bright down the Ovens Valley until turning right and heading up towards the first climb of the tour, Rosewhite Gap. Once over the climb riders decend into the Kiewa Valley turning right and heading towards Mount Beauty. (A Grade only continue through Mount Beauty and do an extra climb to Bogong Village then return via Mount Beauty) The final climb of the stage takes riders to the summit of Tawonga Gap before decending to the finish line on the outskirts of Bright.

The following grades start at the Alpine Cycling Club headquarters, Churchill Ave, Bright.

The following grades start at the Ovens General Store.

Traveling via Coronation Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Delany Avenue, Gavan Street, Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah, Ovens, Happy Valley Road, Rosewhite Gap, Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga, Bright/Mount Beauty Road, Tawonga Gap, Great Alpine Road. Finishing at Old Harrietville Road.
A grade only complete extra distance Traveling via Mount Beauty to Bogong Village then return to Tawonga Gap.

Stage Two - Individual Time Trial. Saturday, December 5th.

The Individual Time Trial is where the rider tests themselves against the clock on an out and back course to Wandiligong. In true SP AusNet Tour of Bright style, this stage is anywhere but flat!

Starting at Alpine Cycling Club headquarters, Coronation Avenue, Bright. Out and back course through Wandiligong.

Start at 30 second intervals.

Distance for all grades 15.7km - First rider start time 14:00

Starting order Women C, Women B, Women A, Masters C, Mens A, Mens B, Mens C, Masters A, Masters B.

Stage Three - Mount Hotham Ascent. Sunday, December 6th

The route to Mt.Hotham is one of the most picturesque and challenging for any cyclist. A total of 55kms, the final 30 kms are all uphill, on an ascent to rival those seen in the French Alps. The initial 25kms to Harrietville is relatively calm, as the road winds lazily along the floor of the Ovens valley. At Harrietville the climb starts in earnest, and can be divided into three, ten kilometre sections. 

Section one consists of an average gradient of 6.6%, but is punctuated by a 400m long section of 9% known as The Meg at the 5 kilometre point. In between is for good tempo riding, and the smart cyclist will ride efficiently, saving all their reserves for section 3. 

Section two is essentially a “false flat” of only 1.8%. Here the average rider can generate some good speed, touching 30kph in sections, particularly if there is a light tailwind.

Section three is where the challenge starts. The average gradient is ‘only’ 4.9% for the section, but is highlighted by some contrasting gradients. The initial ‘pinch’ is 7% for 750m, which is followed 2 kms later by CRB hill ( 10% for 1.1km), and later by Diamantina rise (9.7% for 850m) just before the finish. Between these are two wicked, short descents, where 75 kph is the norm, before the road heads skyward again.

Starting at the Alpine Cycling Club headquarters, Coronation Avenue, Bright.
Traveling via Coronation Avenue, Churchill Avenue, Delaney Avenue, Great Alpine Road.

Finishing area at The Cross (1.5km before Hotham Village).