Preview: Melbourne to Warrnambool set to kick off the 2020 National Road Series

Australia’s oldest one day race, the Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic will mark the start of the 2020 National Road Series this Saturday the 15th of February.

After a successful summer of cycling, which featured a handful of great performances by our InForm TM Insight MAKE riders, DS Pat Lane is excited ahead of a new National Road Series.

“We had a very successful 2019 NRS season and it was always going to be hard to follow on from. We have put together a great team for 2020 and after a great Nationals campaign I’m very excited to get into the NRS with our new roster,” Lane said.

The Melbourne to Warrnambool is a 267km course, featuring 1734 meters of climbing. The course will start at Avalon Airport, the riders will then head through Geelong, Winchelsea, and Birregurra before tackling a tough three-kilometre hill climb just before Colac. 

In the second half of the race, the peloton will head along the Great Ocean Road, one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, passing through towns such as Timboon, Port Campbell, Peterborough and Allansford before finishing at Warrnambool. The race will include a total of five intermediate sprints and four mountain climbs.

Nathan Elliott, a two-time winner of the Melbourne to Warnambool in 2017 and 2018 will headline a strong InForm TM Insight MAKE lineup, which also includes Tom Benton, Raphael Freienstein, Mark O’Brien, Rudy Porter, Carter Turnbull, and Steele Von Hoff.

“If they were all to lineup on their best form I think it’s the strongest team to ever race the Melbourne to Warrnambool. That being said, it’s a very tricky race to win and often the best man doesn’t end up winning. Either way, it’s going to be a great battle,” Lane said.

The race starts at 7.30 am, follow us on Instagram for race updates and interviews.