Preview: 2022 Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool

A huge day in the saddle, a test of endurance, an historic event that’s simply worth finishing – whichever way you look at it, the men’s peloton is gearing up for the 106th edition of the Melbourne to Warrnambool.

The AusCycling National Road Series (NRS) continues this Saturday with the oldest, longest race on the calendar, the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycle Classic.

At 267 kilometres from flag to flag but ‘only’ 1,734 metres of climbing, it’s the distance that wears you down, with the leaders expected to take between six and nine hours.

For the first time since its inception in 1895, a standalone women’s race will be held on the same weekend. For now, though, let’s take a look at the men’s race.

The route

The route is virtually unchanged from last year's. Starting from Avalon Airport near Geelong, it cuts an undulating, inland path towards Colac before continuing to Timboon, where it turns south towards the coast.

From Port Campbell, the peloton will traverse a scenic section along the Great Ocean Road for about 20km, where the wide-open vistas along the Southern Ocean make for stunning images.

For the riders, though, this is where the coastal winds play a major role: Saturday’s forecast hints at a breezy cross-tailwind.

A coastal wind would make the Great Ocean Road very challenging indeed.

The final 50km contains many exposed sections and a few rollers. We could still see a large peloton intact (like last year, when there was barely a breath of wind), or we could see it in the gutter, shredding into echelons.

With 6km to go, a final rise on the outskirts of Warrnambool can set up a race-winning split – as happened last year – before a few corners and roundabouts lead into an uphill drag to the finish on Raglan Parade.

What to expect

The Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool is unpredictable. Last year, Jensen Plowright won with a solo move in the final kilometre, attacking from a small group of around 15 riders that had escaped in the closing kilometres. Of the five editions before that, three were won from small breakaways while two ended in mass sprints.

Last year, Jensen Plowright won from a small group that formed late into the race.

Often, an early breakaway will form on the highway out of Geelong. The escapees will mop up intermediate sprints and hill climbs while the favourites try to conserve energy in the bunch.

However, decisive moves have been made early: around 110 kilometres in, the terrain gets involved with some tough climbs between Colac and Timboon. Brendan Johnston made his attack here in 2020 that established a winning breakaway and turned him into a champion.

The wind is always a major factor in the final 50km, where the attacks will surely begin in earnest – if they hadn’t already.

If the air is still, and enough teams want a sprint, we could see a large group survive until Raglan Parade.

If the crosswind blows, however, and the team tactics work out just right, expect to see just a handful contest the win.

Riders to watch

NRS leader Jimmy Whelan (Team Bridgelane) is arguably the best male rider in Australia right now, having won the Santos Festival of Cycling, ridden phenomenally at the National Championships, and made the winning move at the Mitchelton Tour of Gippsland until he was beset by a mechanical incident.

Although their defending champion Plowright has moved to Europe, Bridgelane will support Whelan with 2019 winner Nick White, plus quality domestiques in Sam Eddy and Ben Metcalfe. You can guarantee the team will be a major protagonist in any situation.

Jimmy Whelan will wear the NRS leader's jersey and the number 1 dossard on his back.

ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast are riding a wave of success, having swept all stage wins and the GC in Gippsland. They bring strongman Kane Richards and fast finisher Cameron Scott, both coming off fantastic wins this week.

With help from the in-form Angus Lyons and Zak Gilmore – son of 1967 winner Graeme Gilmore – the Queensland-based team is a legitimate powerhouse alongside NRS stalwarts Bridgelane and InForm TMX Make.

Kane Richards and ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast are in a winning mood.

Speaking of the latter, InForm TMX Make will be led by strong sprinter Brenton Jones in his seventh attempt at the historic race. Jones has never quite cracked the code in the Melbourne to Warrnambool, but he’ll be supported by a stacked squad that includes diesel Mark O’Brien – twice on the podium himself – plus 2018 NRS champion Raphael Freienstein.

Benjamin Hill (CCS Cycling) placed second last year while riding for Bridgelane. This year, he’ll surely have his own shot at glory. Hill has an uncanny sense for a successful breakaway and will be a favourite to make the race-winning move.

Liam White (Oliver’s Real Food Racing) placed third last year and returns again for the ‘Green Machine’ with a solid engine, a quick finish and an eye on emulating his brother Nick’s feat of reaching the top step.

Ben Hill and Liam White will have another real shot at the top step this year.

Team Nero Continental has been improving throughout the summer, with their young sprinter Myles Stewart challenging for NRS podiums. Keep an eye on Cooper Sayers, who made the race-winning split last year, so has the legs to go deep in this race.

Where to watch

This year’s Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool will be streamed live on SBS On Demand and the SBS Cycling Central Facebook page from 11:30AM–3:00PM AEDT.

You can follow the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and visit their website for more information. Follow #M2W22 and #NRS22 on your favourite social media platforms.

For more content, follow AusCycling’s new Road & Esports Facebook page, as well as our main Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

Photos: Con Chronis