Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic

The historic Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic is a cycling race that traverses Victoria’s southwest region through picturesque landscapes and challenging terrain.

The Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic was founded in 1895 and is Australia’s oldest race. This shows the value and attachment that locals have to the annual event. The one-day race is a must-attend for outdoor cycling enthusiasts.

The Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic is held on Sunday.

The Royal Bikes Port Campbell to Warrnambool will again feature as part of the Saturday events, run over local roads as a handicap in the same style as the historic editions of the ‘Warrny’!

Entrenched in history as the worlds; second oldest one-day race, an 1895 debut saw participants cycle 267km from Melbourne to Warrnambool, before reversing the direction for the following 42 years.

Returning to the original format in 1939, the classic continues to stretch across the same distance of country and coastal Victoria, successfully upholding a 130-year reputation for gruelling length and ruthless crosswinds.

One of the biggest races for Australian professionals, ‘Melbourne to Warrny’ has served as a critical stepping-stone toward the international stage for Aussies like Simon Gerrans, Cam Scott and Jensen Plowright. As ‘The Road to the World Tour’ for emerging Australian road cyclists, ProVelo Super League is thrilled to be hosting the one-day classic just two weeks after ‘Summer of Cycling’ mainstay event, the Cadel Evan’s Great Ocean Road Race.

Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic

As the name suggests, the race starts at Avalon Airport and ends at Warrnambool. The route used for the cycling race has been consistent over the years. Still, amendments to be made annually will require participants to familiarise themselves with the terrain and for spectators to know the best viewing points.

The route takes riders south-west through to Colac, onto the coast at Post Campbell and finally heading towards the finish on Raglan Parade in Warrnambool.

A challenging course that features 1,743m of climbing along the 267km route will make for exciting racing. The race’s most decisive point is often once the pelotons hit the coast.

This final 80-kilometre stretch is where the fatigue starts to mount, the rolling hills often exposed to the wind creates for exciting racing where a range of scenarios that can play out on the run in to Warrnambool.

Since 2022, the Lochard Warrnambool Women’s Classic has been run as a separate event on Sunday, offering the challenge of racing against the top teams in the National Road Series for elite female riders.

It will still be possible to enter as a women in the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool, but that will be handled through the grade system, there won’t be a separate women’s grade this year.

Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic

Over the history of the Melbourne to Warrnambool, there has been a prize for the top-finishing female rider, but the women raced among the men, a race within a race.

Since 2022, the Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic has been raced over a challenging 160-kilometre course from Colac to Warrnambool. The race is the longest one-day road race for women in the world over the calendar year and be run as part of the National Road Series, the premier domestic road cycling competition.

South West TAFE Port Campbell to Warrnambool Handicap

This a race to support the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool. The Port Campbell to Warrnambool Handicap will offer everyday cyclists the chance to experience the atmosphere and prestige of the “Warrny” but in a more achievable format.

The race begins in Port Campbell and follows the final 76 kilometres of the elite Melbourne to Warrnambool course. Riders will have the opportunity to cross the finish line on Raglan Parade a few hours before the elite race on Saturday, 3 February 2024.

Anyone who holds a current AusCycling license aged U19 and above will be able to enter this race, plus Veteran Australia license holders are eligible to enter this race.

Those interested in participating in the classic must register well in advance. Team registration requires a minimum of three members and eight for each team. The start location is Avalon Airport in Lara, and the finish location is Liebig Street and Raglan Parade in Warrnambool.

Overall, the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic is an exciting event for experiencing the outdoors and enjoying the beauty of the course across different natural landscapes.