Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Melbourne to Warrnambool
Riders in the 2007 race, near Werribee on the outskirts of Melbourne

Riders in the 2007 race, near Werribee on the outskirts of Melbourne

General
Established 1895
Held October
Country Australia
Region South West Victoria
Type One day classic
Data
Editions 102
First Winner Andrew Calder, NZ
Most Recent Nathan Elliott, AUS
Most Wins P.Besanko, D. Allan, 3 times
Record Time 5 hours and 12 minutes
by Dean Woods in 1990 (267 km)

The Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic cycling race is a one-day road bicycle race. The race started in 1895 and is Australia's oldest one day race and the world's second oldest one day race, after the Liège–Bastogne–Liège Classic. Historically until 1938 the race started in Warrnambool and finished 165 miles (266 km) later in Melbourne. In 1895 the race was run in the opposite direction, from Melbourne to Warrnambool and then again from 1939.[1] The route started in central Melbourne and followed the Princes Highway to Warrnambool on Victoria's western coast. This traditional route was the longest race on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) calendar, the exact distance varying slightly over time.

The race was a handicap event from 1895 to 1995, with riders leaving Melbourne at different intervals. From 1996 the race has been conducted as a Scratch Race with a mass start with up to 250 entrants, categorized into A, B, C, and D grades over a distance of 267 kilometres (166 mi). In 2004 it was changed to 299.1 kilometres (185.9 mi). In the towns on route there are now sprint points to be earned for a sprint champion competition. With six climbs during the day, a King of the Mountains championship is also at stake.

While the race usually attracts Australia's best locally based road cyclists (the increasing number of Australians racing for European-based professional teams have rarely entered in recent years), the race is also open to amateur club cyclists who race for the prizes in the secondary grades, or just to finish before the designated cutoff time.

In 2009 the race start was shifted to Werribee, on Melbourne's outer south-western outskirts, and the race distance shortened to 258 kilometres (160 mi). Several additional hills were added to the route near Camperdown. The primary difficulty of the race remains its length and the strong crosswinds which affect the course.

History[edit]

In 1895 Don Charlston conceived the first race after riding from Warrnambool to Melbourne in a personal time trial. The first race was held on 5 October 1895 and won by New Zealander Andrew Calder in 11 hours 44 minutes, with a 2 hours handicap start for the 165-mile trip. He suffered a puncture near Geelong which lost him 20 minutes, but crossed the line with a lead of 31 minutes. The fastest time during this first race was recorded by Jim Carpenter from scratch who took 10 hours 52 minutes and finished in 4th place. Of the 50 riders that entered, 24 started and only 7 finished the race. A second race occurred ten weeks later over the same distance.

From 1901 to 1939 the title of Long Distance Road Champion of Australasia was awarded with the Blue Riband to the fastest time over the full distance of 165 miles (266 km). Riders attended from all over Australia and New Zealand.[2] From 1902 the fastest NSW rider in the Goulburn to Sydney Classic was selected to appear for NSW.[3] [4] In 1923 a sprint point was introduced for the first 100 miles (160 km). The first winner was Jack Beasley from Fitzroy in what was claimed as a world record time of 4h 37' 57".[5] In 1927 the Warrnambool to Melbourne was replaced by the Dunlop Grand Prix, a 690.5 miles (1,111.3 km) race over four stages, with the 4th stage being from Warrnambool to Melbourne.[6][7] In 1934 the Warrnambool to Melbourne was again replaced by a stage race, the Centenary 1000, a 1,102 miles (1,773 km) race over seven stages, with the 1st stage being from Melbourne to Warrnambool.[8] From 1947 to 1949 the title of long distance road champion of Australia was awarded at a sprint point 150 miles (240 km) into the race. From 1950 the Australian national road race title was run as a separate event.[9]

Olympic medal winning cyclist, Dean Woods, set the race record time of 5 hours and 12 minutes in 1990 over the shorter distance than the race is presently 267 kilometres (166 mi) in 1990.

In 1995 a monument commemorating the race winners was unveiled near the finish line on Raglan Parade, Warrnambool by two times Blue Riband Winner, Sir Hubert Opperman. An honour board was added in 2001 in acknowledgement of the many volunteers involved in the race.

Winners 1895–1995[edit]

Winners 1895–1995
Year Winner Handicap Blue Riband Fastest Time Ref.
1895  Andrew Calder (NZ) 2 hours Jim Carpenter, Vic 10h 52' 0" [10]
1895 William Nicol 90 min Jim Carpenter, Vic 12h 53' 0" [11]
1896 Jim Carpenter, Vic scratch Jim Carpenter, Vic 8h 40' 5" [12]
1897 Bill "Newhaven" Jackson, Vic 10 min Bill "Newhaven" Jackson, Vic 9h 51' 9" [13]
1898 W Collins 90 min Bill Adams, Vic 9h 8' 45" [14]
1901 Albert Nioa 40 min  Andy Ralston (NZ) 9h 0' 30" [15]
1902 Matt Chappell 55 min HG O’Callaghan, Vic 8h 46' 23" [16]
1903  Jack Arnst (NZ) scratch  Jack Arnst (NZ) 7h 43' 0" [17]
1904 Jack Wright 38 min Tom Larcombe, NSW 7h 48' 7" [18]
1905 William Hawley, Vic 25 min William Hawley, Vic 7h 52' 26" [19]
1906 DD Riley 28 min  H Mehrtens (NZ) 8h 53' 52" [20]
1907 Meldrum Dobie 42 min Tom Larcombe, NSW 7h 40' 10" [21]
1908 JT Donohue, NSW 49 min Matt Chappell, Vic 7h 46' 27" [22]
1909 W Knaggs 41 min Iddo "Snowy" Munro, Vic 7h 12' 51" [23]
1910 Charles Piercey, Vic 47 min Joe Pianto, WA 9h 30' 46" [24][25]
1911 J Tebbs 42 min  Phil O'Shea (NZ) 8h 8' 44" [26][27]
1922  Peter Hill (NZ) 32 min  Phil O'Shea (NZ) 8h 59' 8" [28]
1923 P Wells 56 min  Phil O'Shea (NZ) 7h 51' 41" [5]
1924 WF King [n 1] 64 min Hubert Opperman, Vic 7h 15' 37" [29]
1925 Esmond Williamson 60 min HK Smith, WA 7h 25' 1" [30][31]
1926 Les Einsiedel 48 min Hubert Opperman, Vic 7h 36' 10" [32]
1927 Replaced by the Dunlop Grand Prix
1928 Not held
1929 Horrie Marshall, WA 6 min Hubert Opperman, Vic 8h 7' 10" [33][34][35]
1930 JP Egan 52 min Richard Lamb, Vic 8h 20' 10" [36]
1931 GE Lessing 63 min Matt Lynch, Vic 6h 31' 28" [37]
1932 RJ Reynolds 39 min Richard Lamb, Vic 6h 21' 18" [38]
1933 Les Willoughby 48 min Hefty Stuart, Vic 6h 27' 56" [39]
1934 Replaced by the Centenary 1000
1935 T Reynolds, SA 57 min Clinton Beasley, Vic 6h 24' 36" [40]
1936 Jim McEvoy, SA 43 min Alan Angus, Vic 6h 44' 50" [41]
1937 T Brooks, Tas 24 min Alan Angus, Vic 7h 19' 9" [42]
1938 T Rogers, Qld 31 min Dean Toseland, SA 6h 44' 53" [43]
1939 Dean Toseland, SA scratch Dean Toseland, SA 8h 18' 6" [44]
1947 Arnie Edwards, SA 45 min Keith Rowley, Vic 6h 57' 43" [45]
1948 Allan Saunders, Vic 33 Min 30 sec Herb Guyatt, Vic 7h 9' 10" [46]
1949 Stan Bonney 33 min Alby Saunders, Vic 6h 12' 10" [47]
1950 Max Rowley scratch Max Rowley 7h 53' 28" [48]
1951 Arthur Julius 27 min Graham Stabell 6h 27' 3" [49]
1952 Vin Beasley 50 min Graham Stabell 7h 27' 8" [50]
1953 Murray French 17 min Alby Saunders, Vic 6h 8' 58" [51]
1954 Billy Guyatt 27 min Don Williams 8h 11' 58" [52]
1955 Eddie Smith, SA scratch Eddie Smith, SA 6h 4' 55" [53]
1956 Bob Davis, WA 51 min Russell Mockridge, Vic 5h 47' 5"
1957 Stan Bonney 36 min Russell Mockridge, Vic 6h 6' 12"
1958 Wally O’Brien 46 min George Goodwin 5h 49' 35"
1959 G Daws 50 min Peter Anthony 7h 30' 15"
1960 Jack Sommer 15 min K Stiefler 8h 32' 47"
1961 T Robson 34 min John O'Sullivan 6h 43' 2"
1962 Wally O’Brien 20 min JX McDonough 7h 11' 31"
1963 J Binding 40 min W Dalton 6h 9' 33"
1964 P Fry 40 min Barry Waddell, WA 6h 7' 34"
1965 Bill Dove 28 min Barry Waddell, WA 7h 11' 6"
1966 L Wearne 8 min L Wearne 7h 20' 15"
1967 Graeme Gilmore, Tas scratch Graeme Gilmore, Tas 7h 14' 7"
1968 Ray Crowe, NSW 18 min Barry Waddell, WA 6h 12' 33"
1969 B Farmer 30 min Kerry Hoole, NSW 6h 25' 16"
1970 Mario Giramondo 46 min K Oliver, NSW 6h 3' 25"
1971 Bruce Clarke 20 min Hilton Clarke 8h 36' 20"
1972 L Sedley 13 min Frank Atkins, Tas 7h 11' 18"
1973 Bruce Clarke 10 min G Wilson 6h 27' 27"
1974 John Bylsma, Qld 5 min John Bylsma, Qld 7h 27' 54"
1975 Mario Giramondo 45 min Hilton Clarke 7h 24' 24"
1976 David Allan scratch David Allan 6h 38' 31"
1977 Ian Grindlay 32 min T Stacey 5h 53' 3"
1978 Dennis Shaw 4 min T Stacey 6h 46' 24"
1979 David Allan scratch David Allan 7h 6' 48"
1980 J Hine amateur  Wayne Hildred (NZ) 5h 37' 10"
1981 Peter Cox 10 min David Allan 6h 16' 54"
1982 David Allan scratch David Allan 6h 32' 31"
1983 Andrew Lindsey 40 min Terry Hammond, NSW 6h 0' 25"
1984 Peter Besanko, Vic scratch Peter Besanko, Vic 6h 36' 43"
1985 Brad Leach 30 min Terry Hammond, NSW 6h 1' 2"
1986 Michael Lynch, Vic scratch Michael Lynch, Vic 6h 36' 56"
1987 Paul Rugari scratch Paul Rugari 6h 32' 50"
1988 Barry Burns scratch Barry Burns 7h 18' 29"
1989 Peter Besanko, Vic scratch Peter Besanko, Vic 6h 49' 19"
1990 Robert Jordan 42 min Dean Woods, Vic 5h 12' 26"
1991 Andrew Stirling scratch Andrew Stirling 7h 15' 45"
1992 Peter Besanko, Vic scratch Peter Besanko, Vic 7h 1' 28"
1993 Dean Woods, Vic scratch Dean Woods, Vic 7h 36' 8"
1994 Gavin Parsonage, WA scratch Gavin Parsonage, WA 7h 20' 4"
1995 B McAuliffe 60 min  Marcel Wüst (GER) 5h 39' 27"

Winners 1996 onwards[edit]

From 1996 the race was run as a scratch race.

Winners 1996 onwards
Year Rider Team Time Ref.
1996 Chris White, Vic 6h 44' 16"
1997  Daniel Schnider (SUI) 6h 17' 54"
1998  Bart Heirweg (BEL) 7h 20' 56"
1999 Jamie Drew, Vic 6h 42' 51" [54]
2000 Hilton Clarke, Vic Carnegie 7h 34' 36" [55]
2001 David McKenzie, Vic 7h 01' 55" [56]
2002 Jamie Drew, Vic iTeamnova.com 6h 09' 57" [57]
2003 Simon Gerrans, Vic Team Ringerike / Carnegie Caulfield CC 6h 47' 38" [58]
2004 William Walker VIS / Jayco / Brunswick CC 7h 59' 22" [59]
2005  Jonas Ljungblad (SWE) Amore e Vita 7h 29' 21" [60]
2006 Robert McLachlan Drapac Porsche 7h 54' 15" [61]
2007 Tim Decker Decked Out Coaching 7h 15' 15" [62]
2008 Zak Dempster VIS / Jayco - Toyota United 7h 18' 15" [63]
2009 Joel Pearson Savings And Loans 6h 28' 25" [64]
2010 Rhys Pollock Drapac Professional Cycling 7h 49' 40" [65]
2011 Joel Pearson Genesys Wealth Advisers 7h 24' 14" [66]
2012  Floris Goesinnen (NED) Drapac Professional Cycling 7h 00' 23" [67]
2013  Sam Horgan (NZL) Team Budget Forklifts 6h 32' 12" [68]
2014 Oliver Kent-Spark Search2Retain 7h 00' 21" [69]
2015 Scott Sunderland Team Budget Forklifts 7h 27' 29" [70]
2016 Nathan Elliott KRD Racing 6h 38' 55" [71]
2017 Nathan Elliott IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness 6h 34' 23" [72]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ WF King was 19 years old and his 44-year-old father, W A "Buffer" King, also rode in the race, finishing 4th.[29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Next race to Warrnambool". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 October 1938. p. 3. 
  2. ^ "Road Championship of Australia and New Zealand". The Sydney Morning Herald. NSW: National Library of Australia. 18 October 1901. p. 4. 
  3. ^ "Cycling". Sydney Sportsman. Surry Hills, NSW: National Library of Australia. 12 August 1903. p. 3. 
  4. ^ "Goulburn to Sydney road race". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 27 September 1911. p. 10. 
  5. ^ a b "P. Wells wins Warrnambool road race today". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 27 October 1923. p. 3. 
  6. ^ "Opperman again". Evening News. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 19 November 1927. p. 3. 
  7. ^ "Dunlop Grand Prix". The Australasian. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 26 November 1927. p. 72. 
  8. ^ "Official placings for race". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 31 October 1934. p. 14. 
  9. ^ "Cycling to Rowley". The Sun-Herald. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1950. p. 11 Section: Sports Section. 
  10. ^ "The Scott and Morton Road Race won by A.J. Calder". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 7 October 1895. p. 6. 
  11. ^ "Long distance cycling". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 16 December 1895. p. 6. 
  12. ^ "The cycling road race. Splendid performance by Carpenter". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 October 1896. p. 5. 
  13. ^ "The winner disqualified race awarded to W.C. Jackson". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 27 September 1897. p. 5. 
  14. ^ "Cycling road racing. Won by W. Collins". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 24 October 1898. p. 7. 
  15. ^ "The Dunlop Road Race Won by A Nioa". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1901. p. 9. 
  16. ^ "The Dunlop Road Race won by M Chappell". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 1 September 1902. p. 7. 
  17. ^ "The Dunlop Road Race won by J Arnst". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 24 August 1903. p. 6. 
  18. ^ "The Dunlop Road Race won by J Wright". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 22 August 1904. p. 7. 
  19. ^ "The Dunlop Road Race won by Hawley". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 2 October 1905. p. 6. 
  20. ^ "Dunlop Road Race won by D. D. Riley". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 24 September 1906. p. 9. 
  21. ^ "Dunlop Road Race M. B. Dobie wins". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 30 September 1907. p. 6. 
  22. ^ "Dunlop Road Race won by J.T. Donohue, NSW". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1908. p. 8. 
  23. ^ "Dunlop Road Race W.E. Knaggs the winner". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1909. p. 8. 
  24. ^ "Dunlop Road Race won by C.A. Piercey". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1910. p. 5. 
  25. ^ "Dunlop Road Race Revised list of placings". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1910. p. 5. 
  26. ^ "Dunlop Road Race A.R.W. Collins finishes first, protest entered". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 16 October 1911. p. 9. 
  27. ^ "Warrnambool winner disqualified". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 25 October 1911. p. 10. 
  28. ^ "New Zealand riders triumph in Warrnambool race". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1922. p. 2. 
  29. ^ a b "W.F. King wins world's famous Warrnambool from C. Snell and A.J. Brumby". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 11 October 1924. p. 3. 
  30. ^ "Dunlop Road Races". The Argus. 12 October 1925. p. 14. Retrieved 27 December 2017 – via National Library of Australia. 
  31. ^ "Warrnambool to Melbourne race". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 14 October 1925. p. 15. 
  32. ^ "Young Gippsland grazier wins famous Warrnambool road race". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 9 October 1926. p. 4. 
  33. ^ "Opperman awarded "Warrnambool" following Marshall's disqualification". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 5 October 1929. p. 6. 
  34. ^ "Nicholson Declared Winner". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 9 October 1929. p. 10. 
  35. ^ "Marshall appeal". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 16 October 1929. p. 17. 
  36. ^ ""Fatty" Lamb wrests road championship title from Opperman". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1930. p. 2. 
  37. ^ "World's Records go in "Warrnambool" and Colac 100"". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1931. p. 2 Edition: Edition2. 
  38. ^ "World records crash in "Warrnambool"". The Referee. Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 12 October 1932. p. 1. 
  39. ^ "How they finished in the Dunlop races". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 18 October 1933. p. 19 Edition: Edition2. 
  40. ^ "T. Reynolds (S.A.) Aged 45 Wins Warrnambool". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 12 October 1935. p. 3 Edition: Edition2. 
  41. ^ "Angus beats C. Beasley for Aust Road Title". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 17 October 1936. p. 3 Edition: Edition3. 
  42. ^ "Time and title to Angus". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 20 October 1937. p. 12. 
  43. ^ "Warrnambool to E. Rodgers in brilliant sprint". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 October 1938. p. 3 Edition: Edition1. 
  44. ^ "SA dominates Warrnambool". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 7 October 1939. p. 4. 
  45. ^ "Rowley's double in big event". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 18 October 1947. p. 4. Retrieved 15 July 2015. 
  46. ^ "Retired but won rich cycling race". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 11 October 1948. p. 14. 
  47. ^ "Bonney rewarded with win in classic". The Age. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 10 October 1949. p. 12. 
  48. ^ "M. Rowley proves his class". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 9 October 1950. p. 13. 
  49. ^ "NSW rider's easy "W'bool" victory". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 6 October 1951. p. 12. 
  50. ^ "Long-cherished ambition realised". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 4 October 1952. p. 12. 
  51. ^ "Records topple in fast Warrnambool". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1953. p. 12. 
  52. ^ "Billy Guyatt's great cycle win". The Sporting Globe. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 9 October 1954. p. 10. 
  53. ^ "Eddie breaks a record, asks: How did I win the road title?". The Argus (Melbourne). Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 3 October 1955. p. 15. 
  54. ^ "Drew scores second major in two weeks". Cyclingnews.com. 
  55. ^ "Clarke in a controversial finish". Cyclingnews.com. 
  56. ^ "McKenzie wins Warny for the first time". Cyclingnews.com. 
  57. ^ "107th Melbourne - Warrnambool". Cyclingnews.com. 
  58. ^ "108th Melbourne - Warrnambool". Cyclingnews.com. 
  59. ^ "Will wins "The Warny"". Cyclingnews.com. 
  60. ^ "Swedish National Champion reigns supreme in Warrnambool Classic". Cyclingnews.com. 
  61. ^ "Drapac's former Olympian wins classic Warrnambool". Cyclingnews.com. 
  62. ^ "Decker takes tight finish in long classic". Cyclingnews.com. 
  63. ^ "Dempster takes another big win". Cyclingnews.com. 
  64. ^ "Pearson triumphs in Warrnambool". Cyclingnews.com. 
  65. ^ "Pollock takes dream win in Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic". Cyclingnews.com. 
  66. ^ "Pearson conquers a windy Warrnambool for second time". Cyclingnews.com. 
  67. ^ "Goesinnen prevails over Donnelly for Warrnambool win". Cyclingnews.com. 
  68. ^ "Horgan wins Warrnambool ahead of Anderson". Cyclingnews.com. 
  69. ^ "Kent-Spark wins Melbourne to Warrnambool". Cyclingnews.com. 
  70. ^ "Sunderland wins Melbourne Warrnambool Cycling Classic". Cyclingnews.com. 
  71. ^ "Nathan Elliott wins the 2016 Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Classic". cyclingtips.com. 
  72. ^ "Nathan Elliot makes history by winning back to back 'Warnys'". cyclingtips.com. 

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Melbourne_to_Warrnambool_Classic&oldid=853789538"