Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic - SumUp Men's League Preview
Australia’s oldest and longest one day classic at 267km, the Melbourne to Warrnambool is usually defined by two elements; distance and wind. The combination of these two has the potential to create an exciting spectacle as the peloton wears down, leaving only the strongest riders to contest the finish.
THE ROUTE
The race starts at Avalon Airport and heads inland through Colac before reaching the Great Ocean Road with 75km to go. Crosswinds from the Southern Ocean often split the peloton here and this is where the race to win really begins. The final stretch takes riders inland through Allansford to the uphill finish on Raglan Parade.
RIDERS AND TEAMS TO WATCH
Following a stellar performance at the opening round SA Kick-It, Team Brennan p/b TP32 come in as the favourites with many cards to play. The lineup boasts joint SumUp Men’s League leaders Brendon Davids and Jack Ward, with Ward aiming for a high finish to maintain his U23 lead in pursuit of the Jayco AlUla contract. They also have sprinter Blake Agnoletto, who impressed at the SA Kick-It and Nationals, and Olympic Gold Medalist Oliver Bleddyn, returning after a stint with the national team.
CCACHE X BODYWRAP also brings a strong team with past winner Cam Scott as one of the top favourites. Bringing World Tour experience with Bahrain Victorious, Scott has proven his speed and resilience in long races. The team also features fast finisher John Carter and potential breakaway threat Tali Lane-Welsh, who could make a serious impact.
Beyond these two teams, several riders and individuals are capable of challenging for the win. Tynan Shannon (Team Royal Bikes), fresh off a second-place finish at the SA Kick-It, offers a strong sprint after a tough day. Breakaway specialists Cyrus Monk, and Jack Aitken who claimed the Sprint and KOM jerseys here last year, will be looking to make moves up the road. Rudy Porter, in red-hot form after winning the KOM at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, will be a rider to watch, potentially looking to make a solo move like defending champion Mark O’Brien did last year.
