Forecast heatwave forces cycling changes

A forecast heatwave has forced major changes to Saturday's schedule at the Australian road cycling championships.

Organised have cancelled the Gran Fondo amateur race on the Buninyong circuit near Ballarat.

About 500 age group competitors had entered the event.

The under-19 men's and women's road races will also start earlier at 6.30am, just after first light.

The men's under-23 road race will now be held from 9am, so all competition is over by 11.30.

The temperature is forecast to hit 38 degrees on Saturday, but milder conditions are expected on Sunday for the men's and women's elite road races.