Cyclesport Victoria

Shotz

A record field of 200 riders will contest the Shotz Sports Nutrition Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic on Saturday, October 25.

The field size surpasses the previous best massed start total of 156 when the classic changed from a handicap format in 1996.

Race director John Craven said today the Warrnambool Citizens’ Road Race Committee was overwhelmed by the entry stating that the introduction of a teams format for the 2008 classic was a major contributing factor to the escalated field size.

“Obviously, it’s what the riders want,” he said adding, “There are a staggering 35 teams in the race.”  (field attached).

Bendigo’s Tim Decker, winner of the 2007 classic at his 14^th attempt, will wear the No 1 saddlecloth this year.

But Decker will face an uphill battle to regain his title from a talented line-up of rivals.  West Australian Benjamin King, runner-up to Decker last year, and reigning Victorian open road champion David Pell – second placegetter in the 2007 “Warrnambool,” will again seek overall glory.

Englishmen Kristian House and Tom Southam, and recent Tour of Tasmania winner Richie Porte are also top contenders for victory.

The “Warrnambool” will start at 7.30 a.m. at Sanctuary Lakes Resort and is expected to finish around 3 p.m. in Warrnambool’s Raglan Parade.  The 299 km classic is the world’s longest one-day bike race, and is also the world’s second oldest cycling event, founded in 1895.

It is the fifth and final event on Cycling Australia’s National teams competition and the second last event in Victoria's 2008 Super Teams Series.

The Total prizemoney is $17,000, plus trophies.

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