‘Warrny’ lauched for 2025 edition

THE Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic was officially launched last month, featuring an array of past champions to start the countdown to Australia’s oldest one-day cycling event on February 8.

More than 100 years old, the Melbourne to Warrnambool maintains a tradition being one of the world’s most brutal and challenging races and has since become a pivotal race in the ProVelo Super League series.

The race, affectionately known as the “Warny”, will have a new look in 2025, bringing more opportunity for aspiring club cyclists to compete and test their mettle against professional-level riders.

Age group categories will replace graded divisions this year.

Incumbent race winner Mark O’Brien hopes to achieve last year’s feat again on the course, which will begin from Geelong’s Avalon Airport and loops around the city’s boundaries on the Ring Road before passing towns such as Barrabool, Gnarwarre, Modewarre and Birregurra before heading west to Warrnambool.

 

“In the lead up to the race this year I had told my wife that I was going to go from trying to be a bike rider to actually working, get a normal job, but on a spur of the moment I entered and after 13 years of trying I actually got the win this year!” O’Brien said.

“I first watched it when I was eight years old, so I saw some champions win and after my second in 2010 it’s been a huge event, and some of my friends have won it and gone to the top tier, so I am over the moon to be the current title holder.

“It’s surreal to be a winner, and finally do it, but if anything it’s made me keen to go back and defend and what an honour to have the number 1 on my back, which is a novelty for someone like me that doesn’t win all that often.”

For more information on this year’s ride and race day traffic conditions, head to melbournetowarrnambool.com.au/powercor-melbourne-to-warrnambool