Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic - Race Recap
Thrilling finish into Warrnambool as the breakaway defies the odds to stay away!
Let's Go Motorhomes Men's
The 110th edition of the Iconic Melbourne to Warrnambool delivered yet another thrilling days racing, throwing all pre-race predictions out the window and providing a memorable upset on Raglan Parade
As expected the race opening was an animated affair, with many riders trying to book their ticket to the day's early breakaway. Team Brennan_ were active in controlling the head of the peloton, until Edwin Britts riding as an individual managed to pull out a slight gap before being joined by a strong group of 6 riders to make a leading bunch of 7.
The leaders worked flawlessly together and extended the gap to over 13 minutes at one stage. The bunch behind had no sense of urgency as all the big teams watched each other, waiting for someone else to make the first move.
The main field eventually split up and a chase group formed, while out front the breakaway started to whittle down on the Great Ocean Road. The three strongest from the breakaway, Oliver Stenning (Falcons Pedal Mafia Racing), Josh Beikoff (RCA Bikes Online) and Kevin Biffeger (riding as an individual) managed to resist as the fatigue set in and formed a lead trio out of the breakaway.
As the kilometres ticked over and the gap to the chase group held steady, the leaders began to dream. The early breakaway was an unlikely victor at the beginning of the day, but rolling into the final 5km, it was clear one of these three would take the biggest win of their career.
Stenning attacked, held a slight advantage, and was reeled in to set up a three up sprint on Raglan Parade. Biffeger ran out of legs as the sprint opened, leaving Beikoff and Stenning to duel it out. Stenning led out early and looked strong, storming towards the line but within the final 50 metres his legs began to seize as Beikoff was starting to come around. The two came over the line in unison, separated by only a matter of centimetres with Josh Beikoff taking a thrilling victory.
The RCA Bikes Online rider was in complete disbelief at what he had achieved after the finish line as he gave his team a monumental win in their first PSL season. Levi Hone (Team Brennan_) finished in the main field and holds onto the Hertz Pro Velo Super League leaders jersey into round 4.
𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺
1. Josh Beikoff (RCA Bikesonline)
2. Oliver Stenning (Falcons Pedal Mafia Racing)
3. Kevin Biffiger (Logan City Cycling Club)
