CYCLING Victoria's Victorian Christmas Carnival Series wrapped up in Wangaratta yesterday after a tough four days of cycling.
The track-cycling event featured novice and elite races in regional Victorian centres, including Horsham, Bendigo, Shepparton and Wangaratta.
Organisers of the Horsham Christmas Carnival on Thursday deemed the 40-race event a success.
Cycling Victoria's Laurie Norris said the carnival was a platform for junior riders to hone their skills on tracks that were at the mercy of the weather.
He said watching all cyclists battle the summer heat and wind reminded him of his own experiences as a competitive cyclist.
"Everyone has to adapt to the four different tracks and you have a lot of travelling involved so it is a big ask," he said.
"The commitment from the country riders, and often their parents who drive them to and from training, is fantastic.
"When a junior rider makes it to the state team it is a big reward for that rider and their parents for sticking to that commitment.
"When I was racing, I always loved coming to the country carnivals to compete."
Monique Hore