Melbourne to Warrnambool to cap off Summer of Cycling

VICTORIA’S summer of cycling comes to a close this weekend with the nation’s elite contesting the 108th Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival.

The annual event invites cyclists from all over the country for the event, all hoping to get their names etched on the prestigious ‘Warrny’ honour roll.

Among the confirmed riders in the domestic field will be returning champions Sophie Edwards (ARA-Skip Capital) and Tristan Saunders (Team BridgeLane).

“The Melbourne to Warrnambool is one of the most iconic races in the world, winning it means a lot, it’s one of the few races in Australia that international teams follow and are aware of, it’s special to be a part of,” Edwards said.

“We’re also privileged to have Lochard Energy support the Melbourne to Warrnambool, we’re grateful for their ongoing support in giving the women the same opportunity as the men.”

The weekend of racing begins tomorrow (Saturday, February 3) with the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic, which starts at Geelong’s Avalon Airport, heads west towards Winchelsea and finishes 267km later at Warrnambool’s Raglan Parade.

The Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic, which has been a standalone classification since 2015, will begin in Colac a day later and finish 160km west in Warrnambool.

Saunders has been an ongoing participant of the annual road race since his maiden ride in 2019 and is excited to again take on one of Australia’s oldest races.

“The Melbourne to Warrnambool is the most exciting and prestigious race in Australia,” Saunders said.

“Since my first participation in 2019, I fell in love with the race and its history, I never thought I would be fortunate enough to win.”

For more information on this year’s Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival, head to melbournetowarrnambool.com.au