The 24 hour World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation championships have fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic with this year's event postponed.
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The pinnacle event of endurance mountain biking competitions was due to be held in Armidale this year but have been postponed until November 2021.
"While it is highly likely that major sporting events will be taking place in Australia late in 2020, the restrictions on international travel to Australia mean that if the event went ahead it would not be fair for all competitors, with international riders either not being allowed to travel to Australia at all, or facing long quarantine periods on arrival which would unfairly affect rider race preparation," WEMBO said in a statement.
"WEMBO has always strived to present the fairest possible environment for all those wishing to take part in our events."
The positive news for Armidale is the event will still be held at the University of New England's tracks.
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The trails have undergone even more renovations to extend them a further five kilometres specifically for the championships.
New England Mountain Bikers president Peter Hosking was relieved the club still gets to host the championships in the future.
"The good news is we do have the event still even though we have had to call it off because of the COVID restrictions this year," he said.
"It is still exciting that we will be holding them next November, the 6th and 7th."
The now-2021 championships will be the second time Australia has hosted - with Canberra holding the 2013 event - and is set to bring thousands of visitors to the city.