Melbourne to Warrnambool part of ProVelo Super League for next year
Australia’s most prestigious one-day classic road cycling race is preparing a triumphant 2025 return with an Olympic gold medallist in contention for the major prize.
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There will be more incentive than ever for riders to win next year’s prestigious Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool one-day cycling classic.
Australia’s oldest one-day race is back for 2025 and will see riders battle each other over 260km from Avalon Airport to Warrnambool with the event itself moving under a new umbrella.
The Melbourne to Warrnambool will be part of the new Provelo Super League, a second tier of racing in Australia, designed to give aspiring riders looking to compete overseas the chance to develop their skills.
It replaces the National Racing Series with eight events set to be held from January to March, starting in Adelaide with an event before the Tour Down Under, and ending in Queensland.
The winner of the men’s and women’s under-23 age group in the series will get the opportunity to trial with Pro Cycling Tour team Jayco AlUla.
This means the Melbourne to Warrnambool will have more on the line for riders than ever before.
ProVelo Super League co-founder and former professional cyclist Matt Wilson said the move had already created plenty of interest.
“It’s definitely motivating a lot of riders, especially in that age category in Australia,” he said.
“It’s what they are chasing.
“It’s going to bring a lot of riders out of the woodwork.
“(The change) it’s going to raise the stakes, raise the level of competition and the professionalism of the teams.”
The event has already attracted world class riders with at least one international rider already locked in alongside Paris Olympic Games gold medallist Conor Leahy who will also compete.
Leahy, who won the teams pursuit gold, competed last year but was looking forward to testing himself over the gruelling day.
He said despite the road race being a far longer event than what he is accustomed to on the track, the training regime is similar.
“It’s important to do lots of kilometres on the road because it’s a really long race,” Leahy said.
“Half the Olympic pursuit team is made up of World Tour professionals so we do a lot of endurance work, so I’m up for the longer distance.
“I just hope I have my three minutes (I race in pursuit) right at the end on Raglan Parade (the finish).”
The 2024 Melbourne to Warrnambool winner Mark O’Brien is returning to defend his title.
The Horsham-born rider finished second in 2010 and thought the opportunity to win had disappeared as he kept falling short over the next 13 years.
The 37-year-old almost retired before this year’s race to focus on his young family.
Instead, he entered his name into history, and is excited to wear the number one and defend his crown.
“I don’t think it (defending the crown) will change too much,” he said.
“If I have good legs, you’ll know about it and I’ll try to attack and get away.
“I’m often someone that people like to follow because they know they can beat me at the finish if they can get away with me.
“It’s an honour to wear number one.”
Riders who wish to nominate for the event can head here.
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