Melbourne to Warrnambool adds women’s race in 2022

The Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic will begin a new chapter by adding a standalone women’s race in 2022.

Officially called the Lochard Energy Women’s Warrnambool Cycling Classic, the 160-kilometre trek from Colac to Warrnambool will become the longest women’s one-day race in Australia.

Like the men’s edition, the women’s race will be part of the National Road Series (NRS) and will feature the traditional finish on Raglan Parade.

Held in Victoria since 1895, the ‘Warrny’ is the world’s second-oldest one-day classic. Since 2015, women have raced alongside the men, with now-professional Lauretta Hanson the first recognised winner of the race-within-a-race.

Matilda Raynolds, winner of the last two editions, said she was conscious of the symbolism of a separate women’s race.

“While I will miss rubbing shoulders and racing with the boys, it is so good to finally have a women’s event that we can call our own and continue to grow the breadth and depth of the women’s field,” Raynolds said.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, so I’m excited to be able to provide that for young women,” she said.

The Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival will take place on the weekend of 19–20 February, with the men’s race on Saturday and the women’s on Sunday.

Event director Karin Jones will lead an all-female executive team, which includes race director Elizabeth Taylor, patron Tracey Gaudry and chief commissaire Karen O'Callaghan.

Photo: Con Chronis

Event website: https://www.melbournetowarrnambool.com.au