A LEADING Queensland cycling official has urged the local community to "take ownership" of the FKG Tour of Toowoomba to help ensure its return and long-term future.

Cycling Queensland vice-president and original Tour of Toowoomba race director Mike Victor described the six-year-old race as the state's "blue ribbon" cycling event.

His comments on the tour's standing on the Australian cycling calendar as a key National Road Series (NRS) event follows the axing of this year's race due to financial difficulties.

"It's very disappointing to lose this year's tour," Victor said yesterday.

"It's developed into our blue ribbon event as Queensland's most high profile cycling event.

"But in this day and age with costs getting bigger all the time to make these races safe, some events are feeling the pinch.

"It's not only Toowoomba.

"This year's Battle of the Border in northern New South Wales I think has lost it's elite men's race with only the women's race to be staged this year."

This year's NRS Adelaide Tour in April has also been cancelled.

"John Osborne has done a good job to get the tour to where it is, and all the competing teams rave about it and look forward to coming here each year," Victor said.

"I think it's still got a strong future and it's important it comes back next year.

"There will be strong interest in cycling leading up the the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

"I remember saying in a speech when the tour first started it was important for Toowoomba people to own the event and get behind it.

"I'm not sure that they have to the degree needed and I would like to see the region take stronger ownership of its tour to help ensure its future."