The UCI has decided to implement its Extreme Weather Protocol at the Tour Down Under, shortening Stage 3 of the race due to temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
Stage 3 from Glenelg to Victoria Harbour was scheduled to finish with three loops of a circuit around the harbour to complete the 146.5km stage. However, the race will now only feature one loop bringing the stage down to 120.5km.
The soaring heat has also seen wild fire warnings issued in the area of Victoria Harbour with the danger rating deemed to be severe.
After consulting Adam Hansen, representative for the Cyclistes Professionnels Associes, and the UCI race commissaries, race director Mike Turtur announced that he would implement the UCI's Extreme Weather Protocol.
'The safety and welfare of the riders, spectators and everyone involved with the race is always our primary concern,' Turter said.
'We consulted with rider representative Adam Hansen (Lotto Soudal) and with our Chief Commissaire, and both agreed it would be sensible to shorten the stage distance.'
Alongside Stage 3 being shortened, race organisers also decided to cancel the Bupa Family Ride due to take place on the same day.
The UCI introduced its Extreme Weather Protocol in 2016 as a measure to protect riders from adverse weather conditions.
After repeated calls from riders in the pro peloton to address extreme weather - the 2013 Milan-San Remo and 2014 Giro d'Italia in particular - the UCI decided to introduce the rule.
The governing body along with race organisers and the CPA have the power to shorten, abandon or cancel a race or stage due to extreme conditions such as strong winds, extreme temperatures or even air pollution.
The rule was first enacted early in 2016 on Stage 3 of Paris-Nice when excessive snowfall and sub-zero temperatures saw the stage abandoned.