The 2025 Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Race celebrates its historic tradition and competitive spirit as part of the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Festival. Known as the second oldest one-day cycling race globally and the longest one-day event in the Southern Hemisphere, this race showcases not just the endurance and skill of cyclists but also embodies the spirit of community sportsmanship.
Scheduled for February 8, 2025, the race will see top male cyclists from Australia competing alongside various other related events. Among these will be the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool race, where the best cyclists battle it out over 266 kilometers from Melbourne to Warrnambool. Another highlight will be the Lochard Energy Warrnambool Women’s Classic, slated for the following day, February 9, ensuring inclusivity and representation across genders within the sport.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Victoria's southern coast, the festival promises excitement, culture, and celebration. The Event Village will open on February 7 at noon, featuring live coverage on giant screens of the Powercor Melbourne to Warrnambool, ensuring fans don’t miss any of the thrilling action. Attendees can expect fun activities, including free rides on Powercor Elevated Work Platforms and sporting challenges, perfectly blending entertainment with sports culture.
Among the standout competitors this year is Bendigo cyclist Mitchel Agnoletto, who triumphed during the previous edition of the race. Reflecting on his past success, Agnoletto remarked, "It's absolutely incredible, you see all the people on the winners' list - who've come first in the longest race in Australia - and it's just an amazing feeling to add my name to the list.” His sentiments highlight the race's prestige and the honor of joining such distinguished ranks.
Agnoletto's victory last time was not just about physical prowess but also the cooperation and strategy within his newly-formed team, which is coached by Tim Decker. He noted, "Just the complete buy-in we've had as a whole team was huge.” This sense of unity and collaboration is often pivotal to success in long-distance racing, where teamwork plays as much of a role as individual skills.
Looking forward, Agnoletto has his eyes set on the Oceania Championships and then plans to head to Europe to continue competing. Pointing out the challenges of the race, he humorously asserted, "You're not going to do a race as long as this so if I can keep going all the way until the end of 270kms, 180 should be a piece of cake right." His confidence embodies the spirit of resilience and determination found within competitive cycling.
The Port Campbell to Warrnambool Handicap event will also be part of the festivities, highlighting local talent and the colorful dynamics of community participation. This year's champion, Dave Harmer from Geelong Cycling Club, clinched his first victory after nabbing second place on three previous occasions. Harmer finished the challenging 76-kilometer race with a time of one hour, 57 minutes, and 47 seconds, expressing immense joy over his win. "First time I did it I got dropped up the Port Campbell hill," he reminisced, showcasing his commitment to improvement—and to the fiercely competitive spirit of local riders.
Harmer's victory was made sweeter by his familial connections; his wife hails from Warrnambool, making the win not just about personal achievement but about honoring his family and supporting the local community. "A lot of young, juniors ... will probably be elite at some stage. I'm just happy to be involved in it, it's such a good community event and I just love it," he reflected, accentuating the importance of events like these to promote cycling culture.
Both Agnoletto and Harmer's experiences encapsulate the essence of the Melbourne to Warrnambool Cycling Race—a blend of history, competition, community, and spirit. Looking ahead, the festival stands as a promising celebration of cycling, with organizers and participants alike ready to embrace the thrilling challenges laid out before them. The legacy of this remarkable event continues to inspire the next generation of cyclists.